In an industry driven by innovation, it is easy to assume that the latest equipment or technology provides a lasting edge. While these investments can improve performance in the short term, they are not sustainable differentiators. True, long-term competitive advantage comes from one source: learning.
Jeff Peevy, vice president of industry relations at I-CAR, dove into how learning enables organizations to adapt, improve, and stay relevant during his session at CCIF Toronto during the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference (CAIC) on March 12, 2026.
When training alone is not enough
A multi-year study of collision repair shops explored whether improving employee knowledge and skills would directly enhance business performance. The process included assessing employees, identifying skill gaps, and implementing targeted training.
While performance improved overall, the highest-performing shops saw the greatest gains and sustained them over time. Lower-performing shops showed little improvement, and any gains quickly diminished.
The conclusion was clear: access to training does not guarantee success. The impact of learning depends on the culture surrounding it.
What high-performing shops do differently
Further analysis revealed consistent patterns among top-performing organizations:
- Learning is expected: Employees at every level are expected to continuously develop their knowledge and skills. This expectation is clearly communicated and reinforced by leadership.
- Knowledge is shared: Learning is not an individual activity. Teams actively support one another, creating an environment where knowledge flows freely and capability grows collectively.
- Problems are understood, not just fixed: High-performing teams go beyond quick fixes. They focus on identifying root causes and understanding how systems connect, reducing recurring issues and improving long-term outcomes.
- Culture is actively protected: Organizations prioritize cultural alignment. Individuals who resist learning or collaboration are addressed quickly to maintain a strong, learning-focused environment.
Together, these elements form a learning culture, one that drives performance and resilience.
Expanding the definition of learning
Technical skills remain essential, but they are no longer enough on their own. Today’s collision repair professionals must also develop:
- Critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Problem framing and root cause analysis
- Systems thinking
- Data literacy and interpretation
- Strong reading comprehension
Equally important is learning velocity, the ability to learn quickly and adapt just as quickly. In a fast-changing industry, relying on outdated knowledge can be as limiting as having no knowledge at all.
Experience provides valuable context, but recent learning is what drives current performance.
The role model of modern learning methods
Advancements in training are transforming how knowledge is delivered. Adaptive, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven learning can personalize content, focusing only on what individuals need to know. Interactive, dialogue-based formats improve engagement, while virtual and mixed reality create immersive, hands-on experiences in safe environments.
These approaches make learning more efficient, relevant, and accessible, but their effectiveness still depends on organizational culture.
Building a learning-driven organization
Creating a learning culture starts with leadership. When leaders demonstrate curiosity, prioritize development, and set clear expectations, they establish the foundation for organizational growth.
From there, businesses can:
- Embed learning into daily operations
- Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing
- Hire individuals with a strong willingness to learn
- Reinforce continuous improvement as a core value
As the industry continues to evolve, the pace of change will only accelerate. Organizations that focus solely on tools or past experiences will struggle to keep up.
Those who invest in learning and build cultures that support it will not only adapt, but lead. The advantage is no longer what a business owns. It is what its people continue to learn.
This blog has been based on I-CAR’s Vice President, Industry Relations, Jeff Peevy’s presentation, Reimagining the future of learning in collision repair: Technology, efficiency, and the mindset shift ahead, at CCIF Toronto during the 2026 Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference.