Caliber Collision Centers Honors Individuals In The Mentors At Work Apprenticeship Program.

Automotive Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2003

Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine-based operator of high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas, recently honored two individuals for outstanding achievement in the collision repair industry. Paul Stone and Jack Nanigian, both first-year apprentices at Caliber's Chino Valley location, received starter tool sets worth $2,500 each for their outstanding progress in Caliber's Mentors At Work apprenticeship program.

"Tools are precious to any technician working in the automotive industry," said Alex Gonzalez, manager, Caliber Collision Centers -- Chino Valley. "It's how our employees make their living and feed their families. That's why we're proud to present these gifts to two well-deserving individuals."

"Tool costs can be a deterrent when attracting top quality entry level people to this industry," added Bill Lawrence, Caliber's president & COO. "By offering a tool reward incentive package through our apprenticeship program, we have removed this barrier. Our 'earn while you learn' program helps ensure that we will have the highest quality new talent as we continue to serve our customers and grow our business."

Both Stone and Nanigian have studied the collision repair field under the watchful eye of J.C. Baccus, Caliber's master mentor. Baccus, a veteran of 25 years in the collision repair industry, is one of the top technicians in the country. As a student of Cypress Community College in the early 1980s, Baccus competed in a national skill competition and finished second in the United States. "With his extensive technical skill and knowledge, Baccus was a logical choice as the role of mentor for our center," said Gonzalez. "He's the best I've ever seen."

"I love working on cars and it's a thrill to be able to pass my knowledge on to eager learners like Paul and Jack," said Baccus. "They have learned so much in the six months we have been working together. Both of them have individually mastered approximately 100 different competencies and I expect them to be fully trained by the end of our second year. The main thing I always stress to my apprentices is that working on cars requires a mindset of life-long learning. Even after 25 years in the business I still learn new things every day."

Founded in 1991, with headquarters in Irvine, Caliber Collision Centers operates high-quality collision repair facilities in California and Texas. Caliber currently owns and operates 68 facilities and today has annual revenues exceeding $200 million. In addition, Caliber plans to continue acquiring, developing and integrating high-volume collision repair centers while providing innovative collision repair solutions and automobile physical damage claims support.

For more information on Caliber's employment opportunities with Mentors At Work Apprenticeship program, call 888-CALIBER or visit them at www.calibercollision.com.

Photos of the awards ceremony are available. Please e-mail [e-mail] for copies.