The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is gearing up to select its fourth annual “Head of the Class Award” winners to honor aftermarket companies that continually invest in employee education and training. The award was created in 2011 and is administered by the AAIA education committee on behalf of the association.
“This award is an opportunity to recognize companies for their outstanding commitment to continuous learning,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “We are delighted to showcase these companies who provide an advancement and growth track for their employees, but also encourage them to participate in valuable education and training opportunities.”
One “Head of the Class Award” will be presented to an AAIA member company in each industry category, including manufacturer, warehouse distributor, independent jobber/parts store, retailer, national service chain, and independent service and repair shop. Applicants must include information directly related to the education and training practices of the company, including what prompted the company to invest in training, training for job competency versus education for personal growth, the types of training accomplished, the initial goals, their experiences, results of the training and any future plans.
Applications are due by Friday, April 18, 2014 and winning companies will be notified in June. Winners will be selected by the AAIA education committee, and then recognized during Fall Leadership Days 2014 in Boston, Mass. and at AAPEX 2014 in Las Vegas, Nev. Winning companies will also be featured in several Aftermarket Insider publications throughout the 2014-2015 year.
Application forms and full submission requirements are available at http://www.aftermarket.org/headoftheclass. Fax or email the nomination form and supplementary documents to Sue Kalish, senior director, education, AAIA, at 301-654-3299 or [email protected]. For more information, call 301-654-6664.
AAIA is a Bethesda, Md.-based association whose more than 23,000 members and affiliates manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, service, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. Through its membership, AAIA represents more than 100,000 repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets.
