Investing in the Industry's Future

Since 1996, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium has awarded 259 scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing industry careers. Gary McCoy of Fairway Communications, who helps promote GAAS, says that while that figure is impressive, there are more scholarships available than eligible students applying for the program.

He encouraged ACC members to get the word out about the scholarship program through company newsletters and Intranets. "Surely, you have employees whose sons or daughters will be entering college in the next three to five years," said McCoy. "Please make them aware of this opportunity."

McCoy says the founders of GAAS, a two-day educational event for industry executives, decided to set aside the net profits from the event to fund scholarships for undergraduate and vocational-technical students preparing for careers in the automotive aftermarket. The reason? Everyone recognized that an investment needed to be made in attracting new talent to the industry, especially at the technician level. The scholarship program includes a unique bonus. A matching grant is awarded to all scholarship recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of employment in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months after graduation.

McCoy said a Web site is being developed at www.automotivescholarships.com, to help promote the program. For information or an application, contact the University of the Aftermarket at 816-523-8118, fax 816-523-8252, or e-mail: reg@univaftmkt.org.

4600 East-West Hwy.
Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone:
240-333-1089

Fax:
301-654-3299

E-mail:
acc@aftermarket.org