7 minute read
LOCAL NEWS
19th Annual Race for Automotive Education Raises Over $13,400
AASP-MN held its 19th Annual Race for Automotive Education, September 28, 29 and 30 at ProKart Indoor Racing in Burnsville. The event raised over $13,400 to support the Alliance’s Automotive Education Fund and will fund scholarships for automotive students enrolled in ASE Accredited auto service and collision repair programs in Minnesota’s technical colleges.
During the three-nights, 150 racers took to the track in go-karts reaching speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Twenty teams of auto service and collision repair shops and industry suppliers were joined by 10 teams of automotive students from Dakota County Technical College, Dunwoody College of Technology, Hennepin Technical College (north and south campuses), St. Cloud Community & Technical College and South Central College. The student teams were sponsored by 1 Collision Network. Many spectator fans were also on hand to cheer on their team.
Trophies were awarded to the first place and runner-up teams each night. They were:
Tuesday, September 28
First Place – Wenzel Auto Electric, Mankato
Runner-Up – Further Performance, Minneapolis
MNCARS is a non-profit organization established in 2016 by AASP-MN. Its sole purpose is to promote careers in the automotive industry, recruit young people into the state's college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, into industry workplaces. To further those efforts, MNCARS recently participated in the following events:
• Wright Technical Center Career Fair, Buffalo. Thank you to Lee Schlosser, Jeremy Nordgren and Tom Gleason for their participation.
Take advantage of the resources in the MotorMouth toolbox at https://carcareers.org/motor-mouth/. Get out and get active in your local community promoting industry careers!
First Place – Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie Runner-Up – Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park
Thursday, September 30
First Place – LaMettry’s Collision, Minnetonka Runner-Up – Heppner’s Auto Body, Team #1, Twin Cities
In addition to the 30 race teams, the event was supported by the following sponsors: • 1 Collision Network • Auto Value Parts Stores/APH • Axalta Coating Systems • FinishMaster • LKQ – Minnesota • Lube Tech & Partners • Podium • PPG Automotive Finishes
The Automotive Education Fund was established in 2002 to provide financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in the automotive service industry. Since its inception, nearly $290,000 has been invested in student scholarships, Skills USA and automotive education programs throughout the state.
Members of 1 Collision Network in attendance
Minnesota Careers in Automotive Repair and Service (MNCARS) was established by AASP-MN in 2015 to help close the workforce gap in Minnesota’s automotive service and collision repair industry. Since then, the MNCARS initiative has helped raise awareness of car careers among future students, high school teachers, counselors and parents. We’ve encouraged enrollment across the state’s 32 technical college automotive education programs. From 2016-2020, our efforts have contributed to more than 3,250 incoming student enrollments in these collision and auto service programs.
Over the past several years, MNCARS has introduced new initiatives and campaigns designed to drive awareness and achieved some amazing results with the industry’s support:
• Continually growing our website traffic (over 2,500 unique visitors each month!) and driving new audiences to carcareers.org, with new visitors in 2021 already 55 percent higher than this time in 2020. • Consistently ranking on the first page of Google results for searches related to car careers in Minnesota, ensuring we’re top of mind for someone looking for auto career options • Increasing our engagement and reach by at least 60 percent on Facebook and Instagram in 2021. • Generating more than 9,400 clicks to the website through YouTube, Facebook and Instagram video ads in 2021. • Investing nearly $5,000 in high school automotive programs through Adopt-a-School. • Creating the Motormouth toolbox to provide a variety of resources, tips and materials to help industry members get involved in their local community and start having conversations with customers, community members and students about the career potential in the automotive industry.
The MNCARS Board recently announced a new fundraising drive to raise $200,000 to fund campaign costs over the next three years. To date, $50,000 in pledges have been received. Whether $50,000 or $500, every contribution will help build a high-quality workforce for Minnesota’s automotive service industry, now and into the future.
Support pledges can be made in a single, lump-sum payment or paid annually over the next three years. Please visit aaspmn.org to access a pledge form and return to the AASP-MN office by November 30, 2021.
Thank you for your consideration!
AASP-MN Member Lynn Austin Recognized as NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year
The NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year award honors an outstanding individual who has risen to the top of the profession in the NAPA AutoCare system. This year, AASPMN member Lynn Austin of Austin’s Auto Repair in North Mankato joined an elite group of more than three dozen technicians who have received this award since it was first presented in 1982.
Lynn earned a degree in automotive service technology at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis. He earned his first ASE certification in 1975 and went on to become an ASE Master Certified Technician. He holds 15 ASE certifications today. When asked about the importance of certifications, he said, “Customers understand the importance of having a well-trained technician work on their car, so seeing that ASE certification gives them peace of mind.” Lynn views himself as being a technician first and a businessperson second.
He has always believed in doing what’s right for the customer and strives to provide exceptional service every day. His motto is, “There’s never a need to sell someone something they don’t need.” He also says, “Open communication is key. It builds trust and strengthens relationships.”
In addition to training and experience, it’s the little things that make Lynn stand out as a technician. One of the things he’s known for is putting a smiley face on the coolant recover tank to remind customers how full it needs to be. Especially today, with oil changes being further apart, reminding vehicle owners where to check for coolants until their next oil change provides reassurance for the customer – and Lynn – that the car will be looked after until it is in for service again.
Lynn recently turned over the shop’s business operations to his son-in-law to commit more time to helping grow the next generation of technicians. He has been volunteering his time and shares his talents in the automotive departments at South Central College and a local high school. He also participates in the Mankato Area Career Day and the Career Exploration Day at South Central College where he talks to students interested in the automotive field.
Congratulations and happy retirement, Lynn!
Lynn Austin
AASP-MN Values
Appreciation: Each member is important. We value members’ time, commitment, and contributions – whether large or small – for the benefit of all. Collaboration: We work with one another for the betterment of the automotive industry, recognizing that our collective ideas and experiences are stronger than any one individual’s.
Commitment: We believe in our mission. We stand with and support the industry and our members by providing resources to help them achieve their goals and long-term sustainability.
Connection: We come together around a common purpose while welcoming and accepting different viewpoints. We value everyone for who they are and what they bring to the organization.
Focus: We prioritize our work. We do not allow daily distractions and short-term challenges to take our vision away from our objectives and long-term goals.
Integrity: We do the right thing for the right reason. We are respectful, honest and transparent and can be counted on to do what we say we are going to do.
Professionalism: We strive for excellence in all that we do. We apply best practices, meet high standards and take pride in our work.
