Company brings ‘Race to 2026’ Technician Recruitment Initiative to residential technical college that offers a bachelor’s in technology management with automotive technology training
PHILADELPHIA & KENNESAW, Ga.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Icahn Automotive, an Icahn Enterprises L.P. company, which owns and operates leading repair and maintenance providers Pep Boys, AAMCO and Precision Tune Auto Care, recently celebrated the opening of a rebranded technical training facility at Alfred State College of Technology (Alfred State), a State University of New York (SUNY) and traditional residential college of technology, with refreshing and inspiring wall graphics featuring messages such as “Find out how far you can go,” “Find your own path,” “Find the tools you need” and “Find your path.”
“Alfred State graduates are in a unique position because they graduate with the technical skills to perform automotive service, plus the business acumen that’s needed to manage a shop,” said Brian Kaner, CEO-Service, Icahn Automotive. “As a national service network that can both put students to work part-time and put them on the path of owning their own franchise someday, we’re excited about the possibilities for Alfred State students.”
As one of the largest service network operators in North America, Icahn Automotive offers a broad range of industry-leading opportunities and career paths. Technicians can start by providing basic maintenance and move on to more complex repairs, or progress to running a company-owned store, owning and operating a franchised business, or serving in a corporate leadership role. Once a technician joins an Icahn Automotive business, they can take advantage of benefits such as an apprenticeship program, company-sponsored certifications and more.
“Our partners enable us to provide opportunities to the students that might otherwise not be possible,” said Eric Wilmot, Chair, Automotive Trades Department, Alfred State College. “The updated technical facility has given our students a better environment in which to apply what they’re learning, and we’re looking forward to working closely with the team at Icahn Automotive to provide the students with jobs when they graduate. The automotive program relies on industry support to meet our technical and equipment needs, and our relationship with Icahn is a perfect example of how education and industry can work together for mutual benefit.”
Alfred State’s automotive technology program is NATEF Master Certified and draws students from across the Northeast. Graduates take advantage of Alfred State’s reputation by accepting technician positions across the country. The investment at Alfred State is a critical part of the Company’s larger, national “Race to 2026” technician recruitment initiative, which has invested in and supported promising future automotive technicians through scholarship, partnerships with schools, and continuing education opportunities, in an effort to fill the projected automotive technician gap. Throughout the course of the initiative in 2019, Icahn Automotive has made investments in dozens of technical training schools across the nation and awarded $50,000 in scholarships to students studying at automotive trade schools.
About Pep Boys
Since 1921, Pep Boys has been one of the nation’s leading automotive aftermarket chains, providing premium tires; automotive maintenance and repair; premium-brand parts and expert advice for the do-it-yourselfer; commercial auto parts delivery; and fleet maintenance and repair to customers across the U.S. Pep Boys operates more than 9,000 service bays in approximately 1,000 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico, and the Pep Boy Mobile Crew service trailer, which offers automotive maintenance on location. Customers can find the nearest location by calling 1-800-PEP BOYS (1-800-737-2697), by visiting www.pepboys.com, or following Pep Boys on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
About Icahn Automotive
Icahn Automotive Group LLC (Icahn Automotive) was formed by its parent, Icahn Enterprises L.P. (NASDAQ: IEP), to invest in and operate businesses involved in aftermarket parts distribution and service. Our businesses have a singular focus: provide premium automotive parts and services at a great value. Icahn Automotive today consists of Pep Boys® automotive aftermarket retail and service chain, Auto Plus® automotive aftermarket parts distributor, Precision Tune Auto Care® owned and franchised automotive service centers, and AAMCO Total Auto Care franchised service centers. The Company also is the licensor of Cottman Transmission and operates under several local brands. The businesses of Icahn Automotive total over 22,000 employees, over 2,000 company-owned and franchise locations, and 25 distribution centers throughout the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit IcahnAutomotive.com.
Contacts
Arianna Stefanoni Sherlock, Icahn Automotive
609-969-8349, asherlock@icahnautomotive.com
Christine Bowser, Pinnacle Media
330-688-3515, chrissy@pinnmedia.com