DRiV to Provide Tuition Support to 12 Students Enrolled in Accredited Post-Secondary Automotive Technology Programs

DRiV Incorporated, through its first-of-its-kind Garage Gurus national training platform, recently announced the recipients of 12 $2,500 tuition scholarships.  Presented to students enrolled in accredited post-secondary automotive technology schools, this is the fifth consecutive year for the program, committing $150,000 in tuition support to future automotive service professionals.

“The goal of the Garage Gurus scholarship program has remained unchanged since its inception: we are committed to ensuring that future technicians are able to develop all the skills necessary to be successful in the automotive repair industry, especially since technician shortages continue to be an issue throughout the country,” saidMichael Proud, vice president, marketing.  “In addition to aiding the careers of the next generation of technicians, we are also focused on helping current techs that want to advance their knowledge of today’s complicated vehicle systems with online, on demand and onsite training though our Garage Gurus’ technical education centers.”

Students who will receive Garage Gurus scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year are:

• Casey Arias, Downey, Calif., Cerritos Community College (Norwalk, Calif.)
• Nicholas Baronas, Leyden, Mass., Springfield Technical Community College (Springfield, Mass.)
• William Burns, Cutchogue, N.Y., Morrisville State College (SUNY) (Morrisville, N.Y.)
• Alexander Haire, Columbia, Maine, Universal Technical Institute(Exton, Pa.)
• Keyan Jenkins, Lima, Ohio, University of Northwestern Ohio(Lima, Ohio)
• Jack Kelley, Mooresville, N.C., Universal Technical Institute(Mooresville, N.C.)
• Seth Mack, Williamsport, Pa., Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport, Pa.)
• Jacob McDaniel, Memphis, Mo., Universal Technical Institute(Lisle, Ill.)
• Kyle Sadler, Mont Belvieu, Texas, San Jacinto College (Pasadena, Texas) 
• Juan Sebastian, Yakima, Wash., Perry Technical Institute (Yakima, Wash.)
• Rodolfos Sprouse, Absecon, N.J., Universal Technical Institute(Exton, Pa.)
• Brady Walth, Stirum, N.D., Universal Technical Institute (Lisle, Ill.)

“I started taking automotive service technology classes over two years ago, and as a result, I was able to work on many different projects from brake jobs to transmission work, resulting in ASE student certifications in electrical, steering and suspension, braking, and engine maintenance,” said recipient Keyan Jenkins, who is currently enrolled at the University of Northwestern Ohio.  “This scholarship will go a long way toward helping me toward my career goals, which include owning my own high-performance powersports shop.”  

Added fellow scholarship winner Casey Arias, who is studying to become a master technician at Cerritos Community College: “Technology is always changing, so I won’t quit educating myself once I complete this program. I plan on also working at a dealership so that I can constantly keep my skills sharp and be on the cutting-edge of new repair ideas and techniques.” 

Automotive service is one of several skilled trades facing a shortage of incoming professionals needed to address business growth and worker retirement. To meet this continuing need throughout the industry, the Garage Gurus scholarship program was established in 2015 to serve as an investment in the future of local automotive service businesses and their employees, and specifically to the next generation of talented, highly-trained professionals who will help keep millions of vehicles in road-ready condition.   

Offering onsite, online and on-demand instruction, Garage Gurus is a national training platform designed to help front-line automotive service professionals keep pace with the latest vehicle technologies. State-of-the-art Garage Gurus technical education centers are operational in 12 U.S. markets – Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; the Bronx, N.Y.; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Rancho Dominguez, Calif.; South Florida; St. Louis; Suburban Detroit; and Van Nuys, Calif.

Links:
Garage Gurus
DriV