Wisconsin Kenworth’s Austin Stoflet received the Foundation of the Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association (WATDA) tuition scholarship. The WATDA program offers high school graduates and continuing education students in Wisconsin scholarships that are used to supplement the funding of their education in automotive, diesel, motorcycle, or collision technology. These scholarships, sponsored by local dealerships and foundation partners, can be used at the recipient’s choice of National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) certified Wisconsin Technical College. Wisconsin Kenworth is proud to support the WATDA Foundation.
Stoflet received $1,500 tuition from Wisconsin Kenworth and their parent company, CSM Companies. He continues to be provided with on-the-job training and mentoring while enrolled at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) in the diesel tech program. Snap-On Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin provided a toolset estimated to be worth ~$4,000.
“Austin is an outstanding technician,” said Jim Davis, Service Manager at Wisconsin Kenworth-Madison. “He has a very bright future in the industry.”
The future is bright for Stoflet and the diesel technician industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the employment of diesel service mechanics is projected to grow almost 10% in the next 10 years. Jeff Minter, Service Director for CSM Companies feels the pinch of a tight labor market.
“The growing shortage of qualified technicians, combined with the exponential technology growth that the industry is experiencing, makes having good relationships with technician training programs more important than ever,” remarked Minter.
About Wisconsin Kenworth
With six full-service locations scattered throughout the great state of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Kenworth represents the best trucks, truck parts, and service in the trucking industry. From class 5 through class 8 trucks, Wisconsin Kenworth is built to serve clients’ needs in an on-demand, wide-ranging, but focused manner.
To work with us, please visit: https://www.csmtruck.com/employment/employment-listings/
About the Foundation of WATDA
WATDA scholarship recipients are selected based on three criteria: completed application, testing, and interviews. In 25 years, the foundation has awarded almost 1,900 scholarships and encourages young people to pursue a career in the automobile, truck and motorcycle industries in Wisconsin.
For more information about the WATDA, please visit: http://watda.org/
For more information about the future of the diesel technician position, please visit: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/diesel-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm