15 Canadians Take GAAS Awards

The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) is pleased to announce that 15 Canadian students are receiving the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship this year.
Close to 50% of these scholarship recipients are studying in fields related to the automotive sector, pursuing a variety of automotive careers.
“As with every year, we were again impressed with the calibre of the applicants,” says AIA President Ray Datt. “These are great examples of the type of youth we need to attract to our industry. We are delighted that so many Canadian students from across the country are benefiting from this scholarship program.”
“I have the ambition to carry on the success of my family’s company, by keeping our independent garage competitive to industry standards. I will continue to encourage other independents to take action and become a part of the future vision that associations such as the Automotive Industries Association (AIA), Canadian Independent Automotive Association (CIAA) and the Barrie Area Automotive Repair Association (BAARA) has,” says Laura Pilon, Canadian Automotive Marketing student at Georgian College.
“I plan to apprentice as an autobody technician after I finish the pre-employment program and work towards earning my Journeyman certificate. In time I hope to specialize in custom painting. Someday I hope I will have the opportunity to help other young apprentices get their start, as well,” explains Jeremy Schultz who has been accepted into the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology Autobody Technician Pre-Employment program.
Students who work in the aftermarket after completing their studies are eligible for an additional grant.
The GAAS scholarship is unique in that recipients may receive two financial grants: one while they are in school — to assist with tuition — and an equivalent matching grant for all scholarship recipients who graduate from their program and work in the automotive aftermarket.
Approximately 130 GAAS scholarships at $1000 each were awarded this year, including 15 Canadians. In the ten years of the scholarship, over a thousand students have received financial aid totalling over $1 million.
The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). This two-day program brings together numerous industry executives, including Canadians, and examines the issues and trends affecting the aftermarket industry and influencing its future. The 2007 Symposium will be held May 8 and 9 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago.
Canadian GAAS Scholarship Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or an accredited automotive technical program.
A complete list of Canadian winners is below.
Scholarship applications are available from the AIA Canada web site
The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) is a national trade association representing the automotive aftermarket industry. The aftermarket is a $15.8 billion industry, and is proud to employ more than 220,000 people.
2006 GASS Scholarship Canadian Winners:
Ashley Mulloy
Kaitlynn Harlow
Trudy Hatt
Sharissa Murphy
Allan Dunlop
Laura Pilon
Shaun Stephens
Matthew Lepage
Jeremy Schultz
Jessica Blanch
Jared Ford
Tanya Chacko
Jerri-Lynn Winters
Ishwarjot Bassan
Melissa Mullen