CCC Intelligent Solutions and CREF Share Findings from New Study on Future Collision Repair Workforce
Rhea-AI Summary
CCC (NYSE:CCC) and Collision Repair Education Foundation released a study of 475 U.S. students and recent grads on Feb 5, 2026 showing strong interest in collision repair as a stable, tech-forward career. Key figures: 95% see stability, 74% expect higher earning potential, and 95% say AI/software use boosts interest. CCC will provide CCC ONE access to every CREF member school and has donated over $75 million in software in‑kind since 2011.
Positive
- 95% of surveyed students view collision repair as a stable career
- 74% believe collision repair offers higher earning potential than traditional college jobs
- 95% say regular use of advanced software/AI increases career interest
- CCC will provide CCC ONE access to every CREF member school
- Over $75 million in CCC ONE in‑kind donations since 2011
Negative
- 69% incorrectly perceive collision repair as primarily manual-tool work
- 30% of respondents are concerned about high physical demands
- 29% expressed concerns about social stigma toward trade work
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CCC declined 12.62%, reflecting a significant negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -3.6% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 20 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $535M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $3.70B at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 5.1x the daily average, suggesting significant selling pressure.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30 | Executive appointment | Positive | -1.2% | Named new Chief Product Officer to scale AI-driven product innovation. |
| Jan 08 | Product partnership | Positive | +1.3% | Launched OEM repair certification solution with Nissan’s certified network. |
| Dec 12 | Share repurchase | Positive | +6.4% | Announced $500M repurchase authorization and $300M accelerated share repurchase. |
| Nov 05 | Secondary offering | Negative | -3.6% | Priced large secondary sale by existing holders with no proceeds to company. |
Recent news often saw aligned reactions, with strategic and capital return updates drawing positive moves, but the latest appointment and today’s workforce study coincided with negative price action.
Over the last few months, CCC announced several strategic developments. A Dec 12, 2025 authorization for a $500 million share repurchase and $300 million ASR saw a positive market reaction. On Jan 8, 2026, a new OEM certification management solution with Nissan also drew a modest gain. A large secondary offering in early November 2025 prompted a decline. The Jan 30, 2026 AI-focused Chief Product Officer appointment and today’s positive workforce study came against a weaker share price backdrop near 52-week lows.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock dropped -12.6% in the session following this news. The decline reflects a divergence between upbeat qualitative news and the stock’s pre-existing weak technical setup. Despite positive survey findings and expanded software access for CREF schools, shares traded near the $6.49 52-week low and well below the $22.09 200-day MA. Historical reactions show investors responded more to capital allocation and large offerings, so this announcement may have been overshadowed by broader concerns or profit-taking amid elevated volume.
Key Terms
ai tools technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
As Access to Advanced Technology Drives Interest in the Collision Repair Field, CCC Deepens Commitment to Provide Every CREF Member School Access to Software
- New research shows emerging professionals view collision repair as a stable career path with high earning potential
- Emerging professionals want to work with their hands and leverage advanced technology, including AI
- CCC offers access to its CCC ONE Estimating software to any CREF member school
CHICAGO, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (CCC), a leading cloud platform provider powering the P&C insurance economy, today announced key findings from its Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study, published in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). The study surveyed 475 high school and college students, technical/vocational students, and recent graduates considering careers in collision repair.
The study reveals a positive perception of the collision repair industry among the next generation of professionals. It also highlights their eagerness to pursue a career that combines hands-on work with advanced technology in a field they view as stable and rewarding.
“To build a strong future for the collision repair industry, we need to understand how the next generation views our field,” said Andreas Hecht, SVP, head of OEM partnerships for CCC Intelligent Solutions and member of the CREF board of trustees. “By raising awareness of collision repair as a dynamic career path and providing training on the cutting-edge technology used by professionals, we can build a steady influx of talent for years to come.”
Key findings from the Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study:
Career Stability and Longevity
95% of respondents are confident that collision repair is more stable than traditional college-degree jobs74% believe a collision repair career offers higher earning potential than traditional college-degree jobs31% are influenced by the promise of work-life balance and the flexibility and variety in tasks
Balance Between Hands-On Work and Technology
81% of respondents want a career where they can work with their hands82% of respondents want a career where they can use technology95% said knowing they would regularly use advanced software and AI tools would increase their interest in a collision repair career
Career Awareness and Misconceptions
69% of respondents thought collision repair work was mostly done with manual tools30% have concerns over the high physical demands of collision repair29% expressed concerns about social stigma of trade work
“It’s rewarding to see that incoming students view collision repair as a stable profession offering long-term career advancement opportunities,” shared Brandon Eckenrode, executive director, Collision Repair Education Foundation. “By continuing to collaborate across the industry, showcasing success stories, and providing scholarships, funding and technological training to students and schools, we can effectively raise awareness and create opportunities for students eager to join the profession. We appreciate CCC taking a lead role in conducting this research and taking action in response to the findings by providing expanded access to their technology for our member schools.”
Connecting the future workforce with today’s leading technology
Since 2011, in partnership with CREF, CCC has donated more than
Added Mark Fincher, vice president, product management for CCC, “Our collision repair customers tell us that when they hire students trained on the same technology used to run their shop, they ramp up more quickly. CCC is committed to helping our customers get the most from their investment with us, which means investing in their future workforce.”
Schools interested in joining CREF, receiving access to CCC software, or viewing the study findings, should visit: cccis.com/workforce.
CCC engaged Hanover Research, a leading provider of custom market research, to conduct this survey. Respondents were U.S. residents, 16 years old or older and included high school juniors and seniors, community college/two-year degree students, technical/vocational students and recent high school graduates currently in the workforce. All were open to considering a career in collision repair or already planning to apply to a collision repair program.
About CCC
CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (CCC), a subsidiary of CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CCC), is a leading cloud platform provider for the multi-trillion-dollar P&C insurance economy, creating intelligent experiences for insurers, repairers, automakers, part suppliers, and more. The CCC Intelligent Experience (IX) Cloud™ platform, powered by proven AI and an innovative event-based architecture, connects more than 35,000 businesses to power customized applications and platforms for optimal outcomes and personalized experiences that just work. Through purposeful innovation and the strength of its connections, CCC technologies empower the people and industry relied upon to keep lives moving forward when it matters most. Learn more about CCC at www.cccis.com.
FAQS
Who published the Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study?
The Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study was published by CCC Intelligent Solutions, in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). CCC is a cloud platform provider for the property and casualty insurance economy, supporting insurers, repairers, automakers, part suppliers and more in improving recovery and repair experiences following an accident.
What were the main takeaways from the Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study?
The study reveals a positive perception of the collision repair industry among the next generation of professionals in terms of job stability, earning potential and work-life balance. Data also shows that emerging professionals want the opportunity to work with their hands and leverage advanced technology, including artificial intelligence. In fact, interest in a collision repair career grew significantly when respondents learned they would regularly use advanced software and AI tools.
What are CCC and CREF doing with the research findings?
The research findings highlight the desire of emerging collision repair industry professionals to use advanced technology. In response, CCC announced it will provide access to its CCC ONE Estimating software to any CREF member school – both current and future. This commitment is an expansion of CCC’s ongoing support of CREF, which has included more than
How can schools become involved with CREF to gain access to CCC ONE estimating software?
Schools that are interested in getting involved with CREF and/or gaining access to CCC ONE Estimate software should visit: cccis.com/workforce.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future use and performance of CCC’s digital solutions. We cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this press release will prove to be accurate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, competition, including technological advances and new products marketed by competitors; changes to applicable laws and regulations; and other risks and uncertainties, including those included under the header “Risk Factors” in CCC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Form 10-K filed February 25, 2025, which can be obtained, without charge, at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The forward-looking statements in this press release represent our views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except to the extent required by applicable law. You should, therefore, not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.
CCC Media Contact: Michelle Hellyar
Mhellyar@cccis.com | 773.791.3675
FAQ
What did the CCC (CCC) Future of Collision Repair Workforce Study find about career stability?
How many students were surveyed in the CCC and CREF workforce study (CCC)?
What action is CCC taking to support collision repair training for CREF member schools?
How significant are perceptions of technology in attracting students to collision repair (CCC)?
What misconceptions or barriers did the CCC study identify for aspiring collision repair students?
How much has CCC contributed to collision repair education prior to this announcement?
