TRAINING ACDelco Recognizes TSS Techs
with Scholarships DETROIT - Today's vehicles are sophisticated, technologically advanced machinery with new features and systems being added all of the time. This - coupled with the ever-increasing number of makes and models - means automotive technicians need to be better trained than ever to help keep vehicles on the road. And, employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase 9 percent to 17 percent through 2014.
FACT SHEET2007 ACDelco
TSS Educational
Scholarship ProgramACDelco will award 10 scholarships exclusively to TSS accounts to help cover the cost of tuition and books for their technicians and dependents. In addition, ACDelco will award five $2,500 scholarships to TSS technicians and five $3,000 scholarships to TSS shop owners' dependents under 25 years of age.
Deadline: ACDelco Scholarship applications must be received by Oct. 15, 2007. Scholarship applicants must meet the following requirements:
* Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED.
* Dependent applicants must be enrolled in college full-time (12 credits or more per term).
* Technician applicants may attend college on a part-time basis.
Applicants are required to:
* Submit their official high school transcripts with GPA.
* Write one personal essay explaining why they wish to pursue a career in their chosen field of study.
* Provide a letter of recommendation.
* Bonus consideration will be given to applicants who are seeking professions in the automotive field.
The ACDelco TSS Advisory Council reviews the essays, along with the applications, when selecting the recipients.ACDelco recognizes the demand for well-qualified automotive service personnel, and is pleased to award scholarships to attract and retain workers to this profession. For the eighth consecutive year, ACDelco is awarding 10 nationwide scholarships exclusively to its Total Service Support (TSS) program accounts through the ACDelco TSS Educational Scholarship Program. The scholarships are for technicians, as well as the dependents of owners whose Independent Service Centers (ISCs) participate in the TSS program. "Data shows that enrollment in technical schools continues to decline, as does the number of programs available - while the job market is expected to grow," says John Putnam, ACDelco U.S. TSS program manager. "The ACDelco Educational Scholarship Program is just one way ACDelco encourages young people to enter the field, as well to help provide the means for them to pursue careers in the industry." Through its 2006 TSS Educational Scholarship program, ACDelco awarded $27,500 in scholarships to the following winners: Five dependents of TSS owners, who each will receive a $3,000 scholarship:
* Jess Castagnos, sponsored by Castagnos Auto Service, Inc., Donaldsonville, LA.
* Tiffany Cannon, sponsored by Auto Aid, Sylvania, GA.
* Kristina Dobbins, sponsored by Jeff Dobbins' Auto Service, Inc., Hastings, MI.
* Kimberly Grove, sponsored by Grove Motors, Inc., Middletown, PA. Grove is a two-time recipient.
* Geoffrey Shelstad, sponsored by Mike's Plum Street Automotive, Olympia, WA.
See our news report on ACDelco's promotion that rewards TSS technicians with scholarships:
"Drive to Win' a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS" In addition, five TSS technicians will each receive a $2,500 scholarship:
* Thomas Foley, sponsored by Wittlins Service, Menomonee Falls, WI.
* Keith King, of Katy, TX, sponsored by Gary's Tire & Auto Service, Inc., Houston.
* James Sarros, sponsored by Autoworks Service Center, Okeechobee, FL. Sarros is a two-time scholarship recipient.
* Justin Stafford, of Berryton, KS, sponsored by Fry's Auto Repair, L.L.C., Topeka, KS.
* Tom Sweeny, of Boynton Beach, FL, sponsored by Ed's Auto, Margate, FL. Participating TSS accounts can contact their ACDelco representative for more details, or visit
www.acdelcotechconnect.com, for more information about scholarship requirements, submission deadlines and selection criteria.
(Source: ACDelco) 
