Chances Are ...

Posted 9/1/2008
By Bill Haas

If you are reading this, chances are you are in the automotive service and repair industry. I believe everyone comes into this industry as a result of an individual who had a significant influence on their life. I remember mine and expect you can recall yours without much trouble. Take a minute and think back to the time when someone recognized your potential. Maybe it was a parent, a teacher, a neighbor or a co-worker.

What is important is how. Chances are ... they inspired, cultivated and guided you to the career you enjoy today. Maybe they were a mentor, observing and challenging your aspirations to be an automotive service and repair professional. Without their suggestions and direction, you would not be enjoying the incredible satisfaction of solving problems and ensuring vehicle owners have safe, affordable and convenient transportation.

Chances are ... there is someone, somewhere who could benefit from your influence and certainly our industry would benefit as well. It is no secret that our industry is in need of talented individuals to be the technician, painter, estimator, service writer and eventually shop owner of the future. Make sure you are taking advantage of opportunities to promote the many benefits of a career in our industry. Each of us has a responsibility to participate in career fairs and advisory committees for the programs that produce entry-level employees for our industry.

I want to encourage you to include information on the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships in your presentations. The GAAS scholarships are funded by the proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, a two-day program that brings together industry executives to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket. Since it was started in 1996, GAAS has awarded more than 1,400 scholarships. Each recipient is awarded a $1,000 scholarship and is eligible for a matching grant after graduation from their program and after they complete six months of employment in the automotive aftermarket. The matching grant is what I call "easy money."

The GAAS scholarships are a valuable industry resource we need to make sure everyone within your business is aware of. Priority is given to the sons and daughters of families employed in the automotive aftermarket. It does not matter which career path they are seeking in the industry. As a member of the GAAS scholarship selection committee, I can tell you this industry has a bright future based on the enthusiasm and desire expressed in the essays of the applicants. I look forward to reviewing the hundreds of scholarship applications submitted each year.

I hope the coming year will bring more scholarships than ever of students interested in working in independent shops and a record number of applicants recommended by ASA members. Additional information - including fliers you can download - can be found at www.automotivescholarships.com. The application process will open in September for the 2009 scholarships.

Chances are ... you know someone who could use the financial assistance of a GAAS scholarship.

Bill Haas is vice president of education and training at the Automotive Service Association. He can be reached by e-mail at billh@ASAshop.org.