Tenneco Inc. recently announced a $10,000 donation on behalf of its Monroe brand to fund shop management education and technical training scholarships through the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN). The donation is the first of its kind to CCPN, which was established in 2007 by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) to represent the interests of automotive service businesses and their employees.
“CCPN‘s mission is consistent with Tenneco’s commitment to provide technical education for aftermarket professionals of every age and experience level,” said Carri Irby, brand manager, North American Aftermarket, Tenneco. “The Monroe brand supports innovative, results-driven training for multiple generations of shop owners, service writers and technicians. Now we’re expanding these efforts through new scholarship funds, our popular Monroe ”Ride and Drive” experience, on-site training clinics, and a variety of activities designed specifically for vocational education students.”
The Monroe scholarship funds will be available to qualified shop professionals participating in courses offered through the new CCPN Learning Center. Through the CCPN Learning Center, shops will have access to top-of-the-line learning in the following areas: Technical Assessment; ASE Prep; General Service; Vehicle Maintenance; and Professional Development. CCPN also offers more than 350 online courses in partnership with the Total Training Network.
Tenneco’s support of the CCPN Learning Center complements the company’s popular DRIVE program, an interactive training experience that has reached more than 1,400 vocational education students since 2005. Sponsored by the Monroe shocks and struts and Walker exhaust brands, DRIVE provides ride control and exhaust/emission product “take-aparts” and cutaways, technical literature, and other materials to enhance classroom instruction. The program will reach a record number of vocational institutions in 2008.
“Tenneco’s generous contribution of Monroe scholarship funds through the new Car Care Professionals Network Learning Center is one more example of the company’s vision and dedication to the industry’s professional development,” said AAIA President and CEO Kathleen Schmatz. “The skills and knowledge of the people working in independent repair shops determines efficiency, profitability and competitiveness, ultimately impacting everyone up and down the supply chain. Tenneco recognizes this and continues to step up to the plate to make things happen.”
CCPN will begin accepting applications for scholarships on January 1, 2008. For more information regarding the CCPN Learning Center, to enroll in a course or workshop, and to apply for a Monroe scholarship, contact Kimberlee Berry at (301) 654-6664, or visit CCPN online at www.carcarepros.org.
