Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
      USW alleges COVID-19 violations at Kumho plant
    • GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
      Stengel promoted to president of NAPA parent Genuine Parts Co.
      Former auto exec Tyrone Jordan joins Cooper board of directors
      Bridgestone crafts virtual city to showcase sustainable-mobility initiatives
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      H&H broadens precure OTR business with Continuum mold acquisition
      Apollo to raise prices of Vredestein brand, effective March 1
      Taiwan tire makers propose settlement of import duties case
    • Conti adding light-duty products to General Tire OTR tire lineup
      GM banking on 'BrightDrop' EV to build commercial van business
      Gary Price to head Love's Truck Care operations
      TA opens 6th Oregon location, bringing 50 jobs to area
    • New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Taiwan tire makers propose settlement of import duties case
      Wireless auto data debate continues
      World rubber demand in 2021 to recover to 2019 levels — IRSG
    • Hankook gains OE fitments on Audi RS Q8
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
      GRI expanding ag tire capacity at 3-year-old Sri Lanka plant
      Point S Canada adds 61 stores to network in 2020
    • Goodyear Racing staying on track
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
      Indy Autonomous Challenge: High-speed, head-to-head, no drivers
      TGI secures Cosmo-brand naming rights at Fla. race track
    • Conti adding light-duty products to General Tire OTR tire lineup
      Goodyear-brand belts back on the market under licensing arangement
      Kumho launches commercial LT, performance tire lines
      The new One: Nokian unveils all-season passenger tire
    • Goodyear-brand belts back on the market under licensing arangement
      WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Bauer Built completes expansion at Neb. facility
      Point S Canada adds 61 stores to network in 2020
    • Shocks/struts maker KYB unveils video training series
      Bauer Built completes expansion at Neb. facility
      Marinucci: Basic steps to email efficiency
      Point S Canada adds 61 stores to network in 2020
    • WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
      AAPEX: Using social media to promote your business
    • Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
      Latest COVID relief bill includes $325B in small-business support
      AAPEX: Do more cars in the shop mean more profit?
    • Hankook gains OE fitments on Audi RS Q8
      Goodyear Racing staying on track
      General Tire Canada renews sponsorship deal with Raceline Network
      Apollo to raise prices of Vredestein brand, effective March 1
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
    • Video: Demounting
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
      How to clear rim rust and corrosion
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
    • Video: Safety
      Customers
      Considerations for shop safety policies
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
    • Video: TMPS Service
      The life-saving work of TPMS
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
    • Video: Training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
      Choosing the right auto service tech school
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      The gravity of proper lift points
      Safety essentials when using jack stands
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      The importance of torque specifications
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
February 21, 2019 01:00 AM

SEMA partnering with high schools to promote auto aftermarket careers

Tire Business Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    SEMA photo
    Students from Santa Fe Early College Opportunities (ECO) High School's automotive program in Santa Fe, N.M., pose with the 2015 Jeep they modified and auctioned.

    DIAMOND BAR, Calif. — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is partnering with five high school auto shop programs throughout the country to raise awareness of the automotive aftermarket as career choice.

    The partnerships — with schools in California, Michigan, Texas and Virginia — are modeled on a pilot program SEMA established earlier with Santa Fe Early College Opportunities High School's automotive program in Santa Fe, N.M.

    The programs involve students working alongside industry professionals on vehicle builds that will be auctioned off to raise money for ongoing, sustainable student customization builds.

    Last year, more than 90 students took part in the modification of a 2015 4WD Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that sold for more than $56,000 through the Bring a Trailer auction site dedicated to vintage cars.

    The funds are being used this year to purchase a new vehicle that will serve as the platform for another student build at Santa Fe High School, SEMA said.

    Other schools participating in this year's program are: C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Va; Comstock High School in Kalamazoo, Mich.; R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Texas; and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School in Santa Ynez, Calif. More than 90 schools applied to participate in this year's program, which is limited to five schools.

    "We didn't know what to expect from the inaugural program, but seeing the students' excitement, interest and growth was amazing," SEMA Chairman Wade Kawasaki said.

    "Many auto tech programs have limited funds and are unable to provide students with the type of experience that we're giving them," he added. "We're happy to be able to provide students with this unique opportunity to get them excited about the customization lifestyle. It's encouraging to know that these kids will be contributing to the industry's future."

    Organizers hope to continue to roll the program out to even more schools next year.

    "There is definitely strong interest and demand in the program," SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting said. "And, going forward, we will be investigating ways in which we can expand the program so that more schools and students can participate."

    To help sustain the program, SEMA is relying on parts donations from automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer members. Among the products SEMA said wanted are suspension products, interior/exterior accessories and wheels and tires for 1997 through 2005 Jeep Wrangler TJs.

    Manufacturers interested in participating can submit details at sema.org/studentbuild or contact Katie Hurst, SEMA's Youth Engagement Programs Manager, at [email protected].

    The completed vehicles will be auctioned off to raise money for future vehicle builds, thereby creating a sustainable program at each school.

    For more information or details, visit sema.org/studentbuild.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • List Rental
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION