Zurich funds scholarships for automotive aftermarket professionals

Nov. 2, 2007

Zurich Financial Services Group reports that Zurich Direct Underwriters, its business unit with a focus on the North American automotive industry, is working with the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) by awarding $10,000 in scholarships for those planning careers in the automotive aftermarket.

“Providing money for scholarships is one way to help ensure there are knowledgeable and well-trained professionals in the industry,” said Gerry Cecil, national director of field marketing for the Automotive Specialty Markets (ASM) division of Direct Underwriters.

“We believe these scholarships will help attract new entrants into automotive aftermarket fields as well as improve the management and technical knowledge of those already working in the industry.”

The typical scholarship award amount is $1,000, but qualified applicants may be eligible for additional funding. Applicants must either be graduating high school seniors or have graduated from high school within the past two years (2006 or after). An exception to the two-year requirement can be made for those in the military or religious service.

“As an organization, Zurich is committed to ensuring the next generation of qualified employees for the automotive aftermarket,” Cecil said. “Our funding commitment to GAAS is the right thing to do to help our customers and the automotive aftermarket industry. Our goal is to increase scholarship contributions through co-sponsorships from associations and groups with whom we have solid relationships which, in turn, will prompt more candidates to seek scholarship support.”

Information about eligibility requirements and an online application are available at www.automotivescholarships.com.