NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sara Panza
Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association
440.746.1500

Auto Dealers Provide $150,000 for Education and Scholarships

Cleveland, OH (May 28, 2014) – The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association, through its Auto Dealer Educational Assistance Foundation (ADEAF), have offered $125,000 in scholarships to dealership employees or their dependents. The GCADA is also donating a total of $25,000 to post-secondary automotive technology programs at Stark State College, Cuyahoga Community College and Northwood University.

“The GCADA and our member dealers are again proud to support post-secondary education in Northern Ohio, and not only at institutions that help people pursue a career in the automotive industry,” says Lou Vitantonio, president of the GCADA. “The donations represent our commitment to continuing education and our community.”

Through the ADEAF, the GCADA will offer 50 scholarships worth $2,500 each to dealership employees and their dependents. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be a dependent of full-time dealership personnel or employed at a GCADA member dealership, among other qualifications.

The donations to post-secondary educational institutions are in keeping with the GCADA board’s commitment to help train the next generation of automotive technicians. The organization will donate $10,000 each to Stark State College and Cuyahoga Community College as well as $5,000 to Northwood University.

There is an increasing need for automotive technicians, first due to the natural evolution of the working population as people retire. Secondly, newly-trained techs are equipped to handle the ever-increasing amount of technology found in today’s vehicles.

In addition to the basics learned in high school, today’s automotive technicians need at least two years of post secondary education. Many go on to become involved in manufacturer training programs for more than two years as well.

About the GCADA  

The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association (GCADA) has served the retail-automobile industry and community with integrity and distinction since 1903. Today, located in Brecksville, Ohio, GCADA represents 250 franchised motor vehicle dealers, which includes new-car, truck, motorcycle and RV dealers in a 21-county region of northern Ohio along the Lake Erie shore and beyond.  More information on the GCADA can be found at www.gcada.org. 

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