The Auto Care Association has launched Operation Auto Care to help address the industry’s need for a new pool of talented employees. Driven by its education committee’s industry career initiative, the association is developing a program to connect transitioning military veterans with jobs in the auto care industry.
“The auto care industry has a long record of engagement and success by veterans,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Thousands of veterans already work in our industry as employees, executives and business owners. Our members know very well the advantages veterans can bring to their companies.”
The vehicle for the Auto Care Association’s veteran outreach efforts, Operation Auto Care, is a partnership between the association, the Wyakin Warrior Foundation and Easter Seals Dixon Center.
Pilot programs in Cincinnati, Oregon and New Hampshire are currently underway that connect specific member companies with Easter Seals affiliates in local markets. Working together, these organizations are testing a program to identify open industry positions and match those positions to veterans who are in search of careers.
“There is almost no job skill or career path that’s not represented within the auto care industry,” said Schmatz. “We offer veterans the opportunity to discover rewarding lifetime careers, leadership and even business ownership possibilities. We look at these patriotic young men and women as future employees and leaders within our industry.”
