The California New Car Dealers Association Foundation and ASE Connects announced a partnership focused on helping California dealerships build lasting relationships with schools and students for the automotive workforce.

ASE Connects is a growing network of shops, dealerships, instructors and students offering workforce-development tools designed to support the long-term health of the automotive industry.

Through Dec. 31, all dealerships and shops can access the platform through a free trial promotion. After the trial period ends, CNCDA Foundation partner dealerships will continue to receive discounted access to ASE Connects through its collaboration with ASE. 

Building a Workforce That Lasts

California dealerships are facing a familiar challenge: too many open technician roles and not enough young people entering the trades to fill them. The shops making real headway are the ones investing in school relationships before the shortage becomes unmanageable. 

The CNCDA Foundation has spent years building career pathways for the next generation of automotive service professionals through apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships and career day events. The partnership with ASE Connects deepens that work, giving dealerships a direct way to engage with local auto and diesel training programs, identify emerging talent and support students from the classroom all the way to the shop floor. 

“California has no shortage of young people who would thrive in this industry. They just don't always know the opportunity is there,” said CNCDA Foundation President Kim McPhaul.

“The CNCDA Foundation has been working to change that, and partnering with ASE Connects gives our dealers a better way to meet those students where they are. The more interactions we can create between dealerships and schools, the stronger the pipeline gets for everyone, and ASE Connects makes it simple.” 

"The CNCDA Foundation has built something really meaningful in California — a genuine infrastructure for getting students into automotive careers," said ASE Vice President of Industry Advancement Jay Goninen. "Pairing that with ASE Connects gives dealers a much more complete picture of the talent coming up, and a better way to show up as employers that students actually want to work for."

California’s franchised dealerships that are interested in the free trial can sign up here.