NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Gerber Collision & Glass has joined the team of partners for the NHRA Youth and Education Services (YES) Program for the 2023 NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

The NHRA YES Program is the only full-time education program in motorsports providing relevant educational content and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide. The YES Program invites students to NHRA national events to see first-hand the career opportunities within the motorsports field, bringing thousands of students to the track each year. In 2023, the YES Program will take place at 15 races, along with six virtual events, during the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

“This strategic partnership with NHRA’s YES program will allow Gerber Collision & Glass to feature the collision repair industry and the endless opportunities it offers to thousands of students, their parents, and school instructors,” said Brian Kaner, Executive Vice President & COO of Gerber Collision & Glass. “We are excited about this sponsorship because it allows us to reach this important demographic and target audience that only the NHRA can deliver.”

As with many other industries, the collision repair industry has faced many challenges to attract students to pursue related careers, particularly as technicians. To address this issue, Gerber created its own Technician Development Program (TDP), a paid 18-month program that matches an entry-level trainee with a skilled mentor to get hands-on experience to become a successful stand-alone body technician.

“We look forward to introducing our TDP program to these students and generating awareness about the benefits of long-term careers in collision repair,” Kaner explained. “The Gerber mentors in our program are passionate about teaching younger people who are interested in learning and growing into high-level techs while getting hands-on, real-world experience in our shop environment.” 

Founded in Chicago in 1937, Gerber Collision & Glass has provided high-quality auto collision and auto glass repair work for more than 80 years. What started as a single auto glass and trim shop has grown to more than 725 locations and one of the largest non-franchised auto collision and glass repair companies in North America.

“We are excited to add Gerber Collision & Glass to our impressive roster of partners with the NHRA YES Program,” said Brad Gerber, NHRA Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “Gerber Collision & Glass is a strong partner to include in our signature youth program, and we know the YES Program will continue to provide students with exciting and relevant career opportunities.”

The 2023 NHRA season kicked off at the historic AMALIE Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals, March 9-12, with the first NHRA YES Program of the year.