The Automotive Recycling industry’s premier educational platform shares the latest upgrades and enhancements

that set the bar high for excellence. BY CARYN SMITH

With all of this innovation, how can the automotive recycler keep up? The ARA University’s mission is to create innovative training content and delivery systems automotive recy- clers utilize to ensure a productive workforce that can handle the cars of today and tomorrow as they populate professional automotive recycler’s inventories. Take, for instance, the hybrid battery. Just a few years ago, the idea of dismantling a hybrid was a rare anomaly in the dis- mantling bay. Now, it is a mainstream consumer option, and a daily reality for some modern dismantlers. Harvesting these new (and probably profitable) technology parts, such as the sensors, could even pro- vide new streams of income. While the ARA University may not be able to create courses that handle every complex vehicle scenario, what ARAU can do is ensure that your workforce is sufficiently trained on the basics to leave valuable time to train for profits. “The time of an automotive recycling facility owner or manager is best spent on training that can boost the bottom line,” says Virginia (Ginny) Whelan, Executive Director of the Automotive Recyclers Association Educational Foundation (ARAEF), and the ARA University, the Foundation’s main educa- tional platform. “It is easier for a trainer to teach how to handle more complex situations if the staff is already running at top levels for safety, compliance, basic technology, best business practices and so on. ARA University offers a flexible and far-reaching training option that can keep a team operating safely and effectively. Therefore, onsite training can focus on boosting profits for that specific facility.”

Trailblazing for Others

In 2006, ARA University was an idea in the mind of Whelan. Known as a trailblazer in the industry, her involvement with ARA and parallel organizations like CIECA and others, offers her a snapshot of the future and its impact on the industry. She was talking about data integrity and protection before it (ie: parts num- bers, codes, descriptions and information) was a con- cern for most in the industry.

Whelan learned auto recycling the way many do – in the family business. She was raised in the industry, yet went to college to become a teacher. She taught school before joining her father in business. As a leader- servant and a trendsetter, she was elected as the very first woman President of the ARA in 2000. This paved

ARA Education Foundation Executive Director Ginny Whelan leads a recent ARAEF Committee Meeting.

the way for other women to take the highest leadership position in ARA, and even led to the formation of the Ladies of the Automotive Recyclers Association (LARA), a group that encourages mentorship and promotes women in the industry work force. After her term as ARA President, Whelan became the President of the ARA Educational Foundation. In 2006, she experienced a setback that led her to leave the industry as an active business owner. She offered her resignation as the ARAEF President to then-ARA President Jim Watson. Watson checked the bylaws about her status, and found no prohibiting language for Whelan to continue in her ARAEF capacity. She continued to lead the effort to educate the industry workforce online.

“Motivated by helping others succeed, I wanted to ensure that no auto recyclers would fail due to lack of available information,” says Whelan. “I saw an oppor- tunity to blend my background in education and var- ied experience in the auto recycling industry. While ARAEF was formed in 1946, it was time to enhance the learning opportunities offered to the industry.” In the early ARAEF days, Whelan explained, the focus was on creating manuals and materials, and then on VHS tapes to distribute information. There was a strong focus of on-site education opportunities that was becoming nearly impossible to continue. “It was costly to do on-site training,” says Whelan, “and online training became most feasible.” Whelan, who transitioned from ARAEF President to Executive Director several years ago, has certainly not done this alone. The ARAEF has a strong work- ing committee with many who have contributed their time, passion and ideas, including the past ARAEF Presidents’ Fran Reitman, Billy Roberts, and under the current leadership of Roger Schroder.

November-December 2015 | Automotive Recycling 31