Abra Princeton in Minnesota, part of the KLST Abra franchise, recently participated in the ISD 477 Career Crawl, offering Princeton Public Schools teachers a unique, hands-on experience in automotive repair.
The Career Crawl aims to bridge education and industry by helping teachers explore diverse career opportunities for their students. Abra Princeton highlighted careers in auto body repair, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and auto glass repair through interactive demonstrations.
Teachers were given firsthand experience in key automotive repair processes, including spraying clear coat on a tailgate, running vehicle scans and using specialized tools like a self-piercing rivet gun to join aluminum, displaying the blend of traditional skills and advanced technology required in modern automotive repair.
“It’s important for us to not only repair cars but also repair connections to the community,” said Kedrick Johnson, owner of Abra Princeton. “By hosting teachers and giving them a hands-on experience, we’re opening their eyes to the exciting careers in the automotive repair industry that they can share with their students.”
“At Driven Brands, we are proud to support Abra Princeton in its mission to engage with the local community,” said Damien Reyna, U.S. COO, Driven Brands Collision. “It’s crucial for educators to understand the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the automotive repair industry, and events like these allow us to inspire the next generation of skilled workers.”
The KLST franchise also acknowledged industry partners from PPG and 3M for their presentations, which added further value to the day.
Teachers expressed enthusiasm about sharing their new knowledge with students, with many highlighting the importance of skilled trades in the job market. For Abra Princeton, the event not only promoted career opportunities in the automotive industry but also strengthened relationships with local educators, paving the way for future collaboration.
