With 4th of July right around the corner and having the word Army in our name, we are always on the look out for good military stories or people working to help our heroes. We recently came across this terrific program from the Collision Repair Education Foundation and 3M which helps get our Heroes hired when the return home. Check the official information below. If you’re a veteran, there’s still time to apply between now and September 30, 2014.

Official Company Release:

In 2013 Hire Our Heroes contributed $250,000 to charities, including the Collision Repair Education Foundation based on sales of select popular 3M products. This year, 3M Automotive Aftermarket will expand the Hire Our Heroes program to continue to serve those who served our country. The 2014 program will again include a goal of $250,000 in grants and support for collision repair training delivered through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). 

As America’s veterans are returning home they are facing unprecedented unemployment rates. Their challenge is to match their military skills and training with career opportunities here at home. The Collision Repair Education Foundation and 3M recognize the need for qualified technicians in the collision repair industry and is creating an opportunity for returning veterans to find rewarding careers with the right education and support.

3M, one of 15 corporations honored by the U.S. government as a “Freedom Award Recipient,” and its Automotive Aftermarket Division are ready to help with the new 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign to help provide training and support for the nation’s returning veterans and their families.

3M is partnering with the Collision Education Foundation to provide support for America’s heroes and drive employment in the collision repair industry. The program will provide funding for collision repair education and training for returning military veterans and their family members. The grants and scholarships will cover tuition, books, classroom materials, tools and equipment. Veteran’s and their immediate family members will be able to apply for 3M Hire our Heroes grants and scholarships beginning January 1, 2014.

This program will provide funding for education of the nation’s returning veterans and their families through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The grants and scholarships will help cover tuition, books and classroom materials, and tools and equipment for returning veterans and their families. Veterans and their immediate families will be able to apply for 3M Hire Our Heroes grants and scholarships beginning January 1, 2014.

The ultimate goal of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign is to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America’s heroes and help drive employment in the collision repair industry for these deserving veterans and their families. In addition, 3M is a national board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes program.

ELIGIBILITY: This application is for a veteran that meets ALL of the follwing criteria:

• Has previously served in the military
• Enrolling in a post-secondary school (college) to study collision repair in the summer/fall 2014 (after June 1, 2014)
• In need of financial aid and/or tools for college education

Application is due September 30, 2014

And this year, CREF and 3M are creating a job matching service to connect graduates of the collision repair programs with auto body shops looking for skilled, qualified employees, as well. 

Grants are available for qualifying returning veterans and family members. Grants may be used for tuition, school fees, tools, textbooks and equipment at qualifying technical schools. For additional information and to apply, visit CollisionEducationFoundation.org.