RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Automotive aftermarket businesses seeking potential employees for job positions now have an additional resource: the alumni section of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Web site – www.automotivescholarships.org.

“Past winners of the GAAS scholarships have posted their profiles and their availability for employment in our industry,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS scholarship committee. “Aftermarket organizations seeking new employees can search the database of alumni for those seeking employment. They are certain to find outstanding candidates,” he added.

Aftermarket employers can search for past scholarship winners seeking employment by visiting www.automotivescholarships.org and clicking on the “Scholarship Alumni” tab. Once at the alumni page, employers can locate alumni available for positions by checking “Seeking Employment” in the “Search” box.

In 2009, a total of 75 students – 68 in the United States and seven in Canada – were awarded scholarships by the GAAS scholarship fund and its contributors. Another 41 awards were made by other groups collaborating with GAAS. 10 students received multiple awards. Individual scholarships ranged from $250 to $2,000. A second round of donations in July was made possible by donations of more than $10,000 at GAAS 2009. In its 14-year history, the fund has presented more than $1.4 million in awards to approximately 1,400 students.

Collaborative efforts with state associations and other automotive groups include:

• Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT)
• Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS)
• Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
• Automotive Parts & Services Association (APSA)
• Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL)
• Arizona/California/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler’s Association (CAWA)
• Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
• New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
• Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)
• Wisconsin Automotive Part Association (WAPA)

Each of these other collaborating groups has their own criteria and selects their own recipients for their scholarships.

Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org.  

About the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium

The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. The 2010 event is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Ill. Details are at www.globalsymposium.org.  

About the GAAS Scholarship Program

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket.

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