About CCAR

Our Mission

The mission of CCAR is to provide consistent and compliant Safety, Pollution Prevention, and HazMat training, as well as Education and Environmental best practices for the global motor vehicle industry.

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Our Vision

CCAR’s vision is one of a workplace with fully trained automotive professionals, focusing on their craft, enhancing their overall business and living ‘Safe, Clean and Green.’

Our History

1994

The Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR®), a nonprofit corporation, was established. At that time, 38 national organizations in the automotive trade, representing all segments of the service and repair industry, joined together to form CCAR with the mission to provide education and environmental best practices for the global motor vehicle industry.

2002

CCAR begins offering online training programs. The programs were created to help mechanical and collision repair facilities meet OSHA and EPA training requirements. As of 2002 the programs were used in more than 6,200 collision and mechanical shops, several of the top automotive insurance companies, and by 2,500 schools and more than 130,000 automotive students.

2004

Ensuring a safer workplace in the automotive industry, the first CCAR and Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Alliance Agreement was signed. This agreement was designed to address worker safety and health issues. It not only highlights workplace vehicle safety, but also focuses on abrasive wheel machinery (including associated silica hazards) and ergonomics.

2005

Working together, CCAR and ShipMate™ created an automotive dealer training program -- HazmatU -- that meets the DOT requirements for receiving, preparing, offering or transporting hazardous materials domestically by ground. The program was officially launched at the NAAHAC Symposium in Michigan.

2005

CCAR participated in the Alliance Program's Hazard Communication Roundtable in Washington, DC. During the meeting, Alliance Program participants discussed hazard communication compliance assistance projects and activities they could work on together. CCAR representatives also participated in the Roundtables promoting the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals Workgroup.

2007

Through the OSHA and Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) Alliance, CCAR developed a guide providing workers with information on safe driving and their responsibilities while driving a motor vehicle for their company.

2008

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) renewed their Alliance and continue their joint efforts to promote workplace safety and health in the automotive industry. The agreement focuses particularly on workplace vehicle safety, abrasive wheel machinery (including associated silica hazards) and ergonomics.

2009

The Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) announces the introduction of a new module for its e-learning program on “Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles.” The new module is designed to promote awareness of regulations and safety procedures for repairing natural gas vehicles (NGV) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.

2009

Through the OSHA and Coordinating Committee for Auto Repair (CCAR) Alliance, CCAR developed "Quick Card: Hexavalent Chromium – Automotive Collision Repair Industry." The quick card provides employees in the automotive collision repair industry with precautions that must be taken when refinishing motor vehicle parts.

2010

Through the OSHA and Coordinating Committee for Auto Repair (CCAR) Alliance, CCAR developed a quick card addressing issues associated with CNG-powered vehicles, including basic safety requirements before working on CNG vehicles.

2010

OSHA Administrator Ed Foulke signed an Alliance renewal between the agency and the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR). Originally signed in February 2004, the agreement focuses on workplace vehicle safety, abrasive wheel machinery and ergonomics. The renewal expands the scope of the agreement to address hexavalent chromium issues.

2011

The Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) and a number of other Alliance Program participants are supporting 2011 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers, an Alliance Program participant, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2011 was "Celebrating a Century of Safety."

2012

The Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2012 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by ASSE and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The theme for 2012 was “Safety, What Every Business Needs.”

2012

Online training offered by CCAR is updated and redesigned to give the user the most up-to-date and enjoyable experience for training.

2012

On September 6, a new company record for tests taken in a single day was set. After 13 years in online learning, our single-day record moved from 42,500 tests taken to 43,930, easily surpassing our previous highest day. This level of usage validates what we do.

2013

The Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) and a number of other Alliance Program participants supported 2013 NAOSH Week. Sponsored annually by the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, the week focuses on the importance of preventing injuries and illnesses in the workplace. The 2013 theme was "Worker Safety Works for Everyone."

2013

Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) announced a suite of new HazmatU courses offered by CCAR and its affiliate ShipMate Inc. Of special interest to original equipment manufacturers, automotive dealers and groups is that the courses have been pared down to the critically essential hazardous material information required for each particular job function. This maximizes efficiency and reduces the amount of time needed to learn the content.

2013

The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) recognizes CCAR with their National Excellence in Training Award. In part, ATMC references CCAR’s work educating the automotive industry about the training requirements as they relate to the updated Global Harmonization Standard

2014

CCAR announces that 2013 ended with very strong interest in their suite of online HazmatU courses. In addition, CCAR, HazmatU and ShipMate have completed two additional courses (one in Spanish and one in French) and will be posting them on the HazmatU.org website in the first quarter of this year.

2014

CCAR and ShipMate, Inc. announce the launch of their new website, www.hazmatu.org. The intuitive new site is specifically designed to be easier to use and easier to access for all HazmatU training and resources.

2014

CCAR and ShipMate, Inc. announce the launch of a new online safety course on their shipmate.autoehs.com website. The new course — GHS Hazard Communication Standard — is tailored toward everyone in the automotive industry who handles chemicals (such as oil, coolant, paint, etc.).

2014

The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) recognizes CCAR (again) with their National Excellence in Training Award. CCAR received the award for its HazmatU courses which helps dealerships and vocational schools comply with employee training requirements mandated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and by Transport Canada.

2015

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) renew their alliance and will continue joint efforts to promote safety and health in the automotive industry workplace. Initial emphasis will be in areas of lift safety, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries and contaminated refrigerants. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local 701 along with representatives from ShipMate, Inc. agree to participate in the alliance implementation team.

2015

CCAR and ShipMate, Inc. announce significant enhancements on their website, https://shop.hazmatu.org. Subscribers can now sign up or renew their HazmatU memberships online, 24/7/365.

2015

CCAR and ShipMate, Inc. announce news of numerous updates that have been completed within the suite of our online HazmatU training courses.

2016

CCAR and ShipMate, Inc. announce a new recurrent HazmatU online training course. The new course — designed for those who are recertifying or repeating their online HazmatU training — is shorter in duration from the traditional course and allows for completion of the material (and final exam) in an hour or less.

2016

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) takes action to get all U.S. and Canadian dealers Hazmat trained. FCA has committed to using the “HazmatU” online training program offered by CCAR for its network of dealers as part of their Hazardous Material handling program

2017

CCAR becomes the latest member of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) National Member Benefit program, providing online Safety and Hazardous Material training to all NIADA constituents.

2017

CCAR announces the launch of a new online Safety course focused on Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) batteries. The course – developed by CCAR and ShipMate, Inc. – is the first in a series of complimentary online safety courses resulting from CCAR’s agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) Alliance partner program.


Executive Team

Charles Ayers

Charles Ayers

President

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Before joining CCAR as President, Charlie first became involved with the organization as a customer. As Midas International’s Manager of Governmental Affairs, he recognized the benefits of using online training for all of the organization’s company store staff. Charlie was also a member of CCAR’s Board of Directors, first as Secretary, then as Vice Chair and finally as Chairman. He began his career in the early ‘80s as a technician for Gould Battery and has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) since the early ‘90s. In his 30-year career, he has led teams in a variety of areas, including customer service, fraud investigations and franchisee business support. He is the Chairman Emeritus of the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), a former arbitrator with the Chicago Better Business Bureau, and has recently provided his expertise as an ASE test question writer. Charlie has a BS and an MBA from Northern Illinois University. He and his wife, Diane, are the proud parents of four grown children.

What I Do Best: Listen.

Two Things I Couldn’t Live Without: Support and quality time with family and friends.

My Personal Motto: If the job is worth doing, it’s worth doing right.

Katherine Henmueller

Katherine Henmueller

Manager of Programs and Operations

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Kate graduated Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in History, minoring in Sociology; along with a post-graduate Illinois State BAR Association accredited Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Her work experience includes tenures with an international automotive parts supplier and a private law firm. Kate also interned with the U. S. Department of Labor as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Field Investigator, inspecting small and large business operations sites as diverse as major metropolitan construction excavations to rural grain silos.

She holds keen interest in detailed research projects; and environmental law and prosecution.

What I do best: Learn.

Two things l can’t live without: Friendship and Adventure.

My Personal Motto: When you love and laugh abundantly you live a beautiful life.

Patti Hughes

Patti Hughes

Customer Service

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Patti came to CCAR as a part-time team mate, but was quickly offered a full-time position after only a few short months. Immediately prior to CCAR, Patti worked for Midas International for 14 years upholding and enforcing the company’s warranty policy and procedures. In total, she has been involved in front line and management customer service positions in various capacities for over 30 years.

Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (yes, she’s a “yooper”), Patti has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Travel and Tourism Management from Michigan State University and an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Bay de Noc Community College.

What I do best: Help.

Two things l can’t live without: Family and Music.

My Personal Motto: Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.


Giving Back to Our Community

Community involvement is a long-standing organizational objective for CCAR. For many years, our organization and our staff have contributed dollars as well as volunteer hours to improve the communities where we live and work.

Investment in our communities — and causes that we are passionate about — is just one of the many ways we demonstrate our commitment to being good NPO citizens. Over the years, we have remained dedicated to partnering with various local nonprofit organizations, whether by donating money or lending a hand to volunteer. Here are some of the organizations we support:

Chicago Auto Show

Over the past 23 years, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity benefit has raised more than $38 million for local charities. Widely considered Chicagoland's largest single-day charitable event, First Look has become the premier fundraiser for many local charities. This year, the money raised at First Look will benefit 18 local organizations.

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry professionals working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel.

St. Baldricks

St. Baldrick’s head-shaving events began as a challenge between businessmen and have grown from one event in 2000 to more than 1,300 events in 2015, raising critical funds for childhood cancer research in excess of $100 million. Events take place in pubs, restaurants, schools, churches, parks, malls, military bases, firehouses and any other place you can imagine.