Windsor, Ontario — The Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) has announced the “Future of Work” bursary program, focused on attracting post-secondary students who may be looking towards a future in the auto industry.
The four $2,500 bursaries will be presented to students in any year of study pursuing a career in the fields of engineering, skilled trades, cross border logistics and policy leadership.
“The future of zero-emissions and connected mobility will rely on the development of a wide range of disciplines in a wider societal effort,” a release from the APMA reads.
APMA president Flavio Volpe says this new program will help flesh out the skills of the industry and introduce new faces to the various opportunities that exist within it.
“The auto industry isn’t just about one stream of employment,” Volpe said. “We have to bring new fresh blood into it. “Let’s keep those kids and those brains here. We’ve got to look around and convert people into the business.”
The specific qualifying criteria for the bursaries are as follows:
- Engineering: including but not limited to chemical, computer, electrical, environmental, mechanical, materials areas of studies
- Skilled Trades: including but not limited to mold makers, tool and die, millwright, electric and mechanical technicians
- Cross Border Logistics: including but not limited to supply-chain management, cyber-security, GIS and sustainable transportation
- Policy Leadership: including business management, policy leadership – including business management, public administration, international law and environment studies with an eye to application within automotive.
“What we hope is with this first $10,000 and these first four kids that we say, we want you in the auto industry and we want you to show us what that means, that it’s going to be the start of something real special,” said Volpe.
Applications will be released on the APMA’s website on June 15 and will remain open until Sept. 30.
Bursary winners will be announced at the 2022 APMA annual conference in Windsor on Oct. 19.
