August 2023
Scholarships Awarded to California Students to Learn New Vehicle Tech
Last year, there were over 5,500 unfilled positions for automotive technicians in the state. These jobs are high tech and likely to endure, no matter what the economic trends are. With many new BEV models hitting the market, students must master the new technology in vehicles. To support the students who may one day take these positions, California’s new vehicle dealers provided over $70,000 in college scholarships this year.
74 California students learning about the rapidly changing automotive technologies won a financial award. They are also given a mentorship program through the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) Foundation. “Presenting a check to a student invests in their future but also contributes to the overall growth and sustainability of the automotive industry. The associated mentorship program is a crucial aspect of ensuring the success of these young individuals after they enter the industry,” said K.C. Heidler. Heidler is the owner of Tom’s Truck Centers in Santa Ana and Santa Fe Springs, and Foundation Chair.
Running on grants, donations, and commitment from California’s dealers, the CNCDA Foundation collaborates with educators to find deserving students. Scholarship awardees are then connected with mentor managers at dealerships. In regular meetings with the managers, students will learn about career growth opportunities and the path to reach their goals. These aspiring techs will job shadow expert technicians to relate what they are learning in the classroom to real-life diagnostics on a customer’s vehicle. It’s a lucrative career that requires continued technology education and 85% of entry technicians would recommend it to a friend.
Thank you to the educators, sponsors and mentors who have transformed the lives of students by participating in the scholarship program!
The CNCDA Foundation gives you the opportunity to change lives. A tax-deductible donation to the CNCDA Foundation, a 501(c)3 Tax ID 95-4454279 created by California’s dealers, will directly support local students. For more information please contact Kim McPhaul.
CALLING ALL AUTOMOTIVE EDUCATORS
Join our 2024 CNCDA Foundation Scholarship Info Session. Learn how your students can win a $1,000 auto tech scholarship & mentorship program.
October 25, 2023 | 5:00 - 5:30 PM
Meeting ID: 850 1703 8942
Passcode: 991260
Mentorships Change Lives
“Devyn came in yesterday and we presented him with the Saddleback College scholarship check. He was overjoyed and a genuinely nice young man. We are excited for his future!”
David Johnson - Mazda of Orange
If your dealership is eager to foster talent, and support the next generation, consider sponsoring a $1,000 2024 automotive technology scholarship & mentorship.
Insights Straight from the Pros: Welcoming the Boys & Girls Club into the Dealership
Pictured on the Audi San Francisco rooftop, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco members after lunch at the Summer Career Exposure Event. Mark Twain once said, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."
As a student, stepping into the real-world environment of potential careers can be exciting and a game-changing opportunity.
The Royal Auto Group hosted an event with Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s Columbia Park and Mission Clubhouses this summer, giving local high school students the opportunity to explore career possibilities in their Audi Mazda VW and Volvo dealerships.
Teens had the opportunity to learn from those who have already tread the path they might aspire to follow at the Summer Career Exposure Event. At the 2½ hour event, dealership professionals in both sales and service shared their educational backgrounds, past experiences, and the journey that led them to their current positions. Dealer Andy Hansen remarked “I could see so many of them light up as the students heard how some of our team members got their start in the car business!” Local professionals’ stories can inspire the next generation, by showcasing the various routes to success
Earl Declet, Citywide Director of Youth Leadership and Workforce Development for Boys & Girls of Clubs of San Francisco, partnered with Andy and Royal Automotive on the event. Whether it’s college, trade school, or entering the workforce, Earl aims to ensure that Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco members leave the Club “ready for life” at 18. Industry events provide a safe space for kids to practice professionalism, from dressing appropriately to preparing thoughtful questions and engaging in networking, with support from Club leadership.
For students stepping into the world of career possibilities, industry events hold the key to unlocking a wealth of insights and opportunities. “At Royal Auto we want to continue to strive to be more than a dealership. We want to have an identity centered around efforts to help children and families in our community thrive!” said Andy.
Contact your local Boys & Girls Club to invite local middle or high school students to visit your dealership for two to three hours – where they can learn about the industry, hear from your professional staff, develop professionalism skills, and enjoy lunch with your managers. You can host an event that is a stepping-stone, empowering young people to set their career path that ends at your dealership. Andy Hansen is happy to share more about this great way for car dealers to connect with the future generation at Ahansen@RoyalAuto.com or (415) 241-8159.
Dedicated to creating career pathways for highly skilled automotive service professionals throughout California.
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