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CAR Supports General Motors Scholarship Program

Attracting skilled and talented young people to work in automotive careers is a critical challenge facing the U.S. auto industry, according to current research being conducted by the Center for Automotive Research, a non-profit research organization based in Ann Arbor.
 
"The General Motors Foundation's new Buick Achievers Scholarship Program represents an important first step toward solving a critical human resource shortage," said Jay Baron, CAR's chairman and CEO. "We need thousands of talented young people to pursue science, technology, engineering and math careers to ensure the future competitiveness and growth of not only the U.S. automotive industry, but also the U.S. economy."

Demographic forces, the challenge to design, engineer and build advanced technology vehicles, and the economic resurgence of the auto industry have combined to create the demand for thousands of new engineering, technical and skilled workers in the auto industry. 

"We are finding that many skills, including those related to powertrain, vehicle electrification, embedded software, design, and skilled trades are, and will likely remain, in high demand," said Kristin Dziczek, director of CAR's Labor and Industry Group and the Program for Automotive Labor and Education. "These jobs require significant training and education, and they pay well, but many young people are reluctant to choose automotive careers due to the recent instability in the industry. GM's support of students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and who have an interest in the automotive industry demonstrates a significant commitment to education aimed at changing students' perception of automotive as an attractive career destination."

CAR's mission is to conduct research on significant issues related to the future direction of the global automotive industry, as well as organize and conduct forums of value to the automotive community. For more information about CAR, visit www.cargroup.org.

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