CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Collision repair students at Chattanooga State Community College last week received a donation that will bolster their education and help keep them at the forefront of technology when they enter the workforce.

On Thursday, faculty and students gathered for a presentation honoring the donation of a Car-O-Liner CTR9 Welder to the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) at ChattState.

The welder is recognized as best-in-class among car makers for joining parts and assembling vehicles, said Tim Garner, Market Development Manager at Car-O-Liner North America.

“We like to consider ourselves the providers to the fixers and makers of the world. All of you are the future fixers and makers,” Garner said. “Learning a trade — and collision repair is an important one — can take you anywhere you want it to take you.”

Darron Whitman, Area Vice President with Classic Collision, said understanding automotive technology and the tools used in the trade is important for both career success and safety.

“This is such a good piece of equipment to learn to use because it is what we use in the collision repair business,” Whitman said. “It’s a crucial part of making you money, and it’s important to the safety of the vehicles and the occupants in those cars.”

Bo Drake, Vice President of TCAT  and Economic and Workforce Development at Chattanooga State said: “I offer sincere appreciation for your investment in our students and your belief in our program,” Drake said. “Our students’ futures are incredibly bright. There is great opportunity ahead.”