Federal-Mogul bestows Garage Gurus scholarships

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Federal-Mogul Motorparts has awarded a dozen $2,500 tuition scholarships on behalf of its Garage Gurus technical education network to students enrolled in accredited post-secondary automotive technology schools.

This raises the company's total tuition support for future automotive service professionals to $90,000 over the last three years.

"Our Garage Gurus scholarships are opening doors to young men and women who want to become skilled technicians and perhaps even operate their own automotive businesses in the years ahead," said Brent Berman, director, training and consumer experience, Federal-Mogul Motorparts.

Automotive service is one of several skilled trades facing a shortage of incoming professionals needed to address business growth and worker retirement, the company said.

To help alleviate these shortages, the U.S. Department of Labor recently was ordered to create industry-recognized apprenticeship programs, including determining how third parties such as non-profit organizations and unions can provide recognition to apprenticeship programs, which are currently prohibited by law.

To meet this continuing need, Federal-Mogul said it established the Garage Gurus scholarship program 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 highly trained professionals.

Students who will receive Garage Gurus scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year are:

• Andrew Adams, Carthage, Mo., Pittsburgh State University;
• Blake Chambers, Springfield, Mo., Pittsburgh State University;
• Anastacia Clough, North Richland, Texas, Eastfield Community College;
• Ian Michael Fisher, Gladstone, Mich., Bay de Noc Community College;
• Brittany Florin, Maple Grove, Minn., Dakota County Technical College;
• Antoinette Jackson, Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., Suffolk County Community College;
• Harley McDowell, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Madison Area Technical College;
• Nicholas McSpedon, East Berne, N.Y., Hudson Valley Community College;
• Roy Padron, North Hollywood, Calif., Los Angeles Trade Technical College;
• Thalia Rosa, Reading, Pa., Automotive Training Center;
• Lorenzo Vilches, Borrego Springs, Calif., Cuyamaca College; and
• Jacob Zelasko, Elma, N.Y., Erie Community College.

Adding to its commitment to training initiatives throughout the U.S., Federal-Mogul has contributed for the last two years to the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, a public charity that rewards people with a passion to get trained for skilled jobs.

Federal-Mogul said it plans to expand the Garage Gurus scholarship program for 2018-2019.

For more information, visit www.FMgaragegurus.com or call 888-771-6005.