NRMA Insurance seems to have a love-hate relationship with the NSW smash repair industry. It is continuing its controversial Care & Repair job allocation system – a system smash repairers say is unfair and dangerous – on the one hand and contributing to training and future employment on the other.

Now the insurer is paying schools to teach students panel-beating. The company is donating $1000 to any NSW or ACT school for every student enrolled in its Jumpstart training program.

The Autobody traineeship is aimed at Year 10 students. Participants receive financial assistance to buy tools, and those that complete the program through to Year 12 are guaranteed three months’ employment at an NRMA authorised smash repairer.

NRMA Insurance’s Industry and Community Support Manager Paul Hardie says the company already invests more than $7 million in the program but also recognises that there are costs for the schools involved.

“There are some administrative responsibilities that schools manage as part of each student’s participation,” he said.

The program has been in place for two years (NRMA has also offered an automotive apprentice scholarship since 2000) and currently involves 130 students.