Foundation Grants Show Diversity of Aftermarket Educational Endeavors

July 13, 2006

Continuing the mission of providing funding for aftermarket educational programs, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation recently awarded educational grants to three separate aftermarket efforts.

The first such grant will provide partial funding for the new "Knowledge as Power" Internet training initiative being created under the guidance of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association's (AAIA) Retail segment and Education Committees. An online series of Internet-based courses, the new program will provide training for automotive service writers and technicians, as well as automotive parts store counter people. The goals will be improved customer relations skills and increased consumer trust.

The second grant supported by the foundation will be used by Northwood University's University of the Aftermarket to develop the new Leadership 2.0 program. A 17-course, two-week program, Leadership 2.0 will focus on the management and leadership skills needed to compete in tomorrow's aftermarket. The first week of course work is scheduled for fall 2006.

With a record number of scholarship applications received by the 2006 Global Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship (GAAS) Committee, there is a growing need for additional scholarship funding. To promote additional scholarship donations and to build recognition of the GAAS program and cause, a video will be developed using interviews of successful past GAAS recipients and other industry leaders. A grant by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation will be used to fund video development.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the foundation continues to receive and invest endowments from aftermarket industry individuals and companies. The investment earnings are used in the form of grant awards, funding various industry programs.

"A look at the difference in the dimension of these three programs, each supported by the foundation, shows both the diversity of today's aftermarket as well as the scope with which the foundation trustees view our responsibility to fund in industry's education and training," said Dave Caracci, foundation chair.

For more information or to add your support, contact Barbara Cunningham, foundation administrator, at 941-927-6881 or e-mail barbweek@comcast.net.

About the University of the Aftermarket Foundation

For 20 years, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation has invested donations received from companies and individuals to fund educational programs to benefit the automotive aftermarket industry. The investment earnings from donations continue to fund scholarships, new program development, instructor and other aftermarket educational costs.