Check out the DEG!

January 19, 2023

The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) is an initiative that was developed to help improve the quality and accuracy of collision repair estimates, through proactive feedback from the collision repair industry and other “end users” to the Information Providers (IPs) that supply the databases for the various estimating products. The DEG is funded and maintained by the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), with additional support from industry sponsors. 

Check out the DEG’s website here.

AASP Announces 2023-24 Leadership Positions

January 19, 2023

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers elected its Executive Committee for 2023-24 during its Board of Directors meeting on November 2^nd in Las Vegas.  Dan Sjolseth, owner of Superior Service Center/St. Paul Automotive (Eagan/Apple Valley/St. Paul, Minnesota), accepted the gavel and will serve as president of the AASP National Board.

Sjolseth has represented Minnesota on the AASP National Board since 2011.  He is a longtime member of AASP-MN and has been actively involved its collision and government affairs committees.  He served as president in 2013-14 and has chaired the MN Careers in Auto Repair & Service (MNCARS) initiative since its inception in 2016.

“I am honored to be elected as the new president of AASP National. I look forward to using my industry experience to work with the Board and all the affiliates. Together we will be able to continue strengthening the independent automotive repair and collision industry and AASP National. 

“Dan is a trailblazer and passionate advocate for the industry and I’m confident that AASP National will benefit from his leadership,” said Judell Anderson, AASP National Administrator.

In addition to Sjolseth being elected president, the following were elected to the AASP National Executive Committee: Vice President – Lucas Underwood (ASTA North Carolina), Secretary/Treasurer – Barry Burkholder (AASP Pennsylvania), Chair of Executive Directors – Amanda Henry (AASP Pennsylvania). Tom Elder (AASP New Jersey) will serve as Immediate Past President.

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers is a coalition of associations which serve over 4,000 members of the automotive service industry. In a spirit of mutual cooperation and support, Alliance participants are committed to sharing information, knowledge and other resources for the benefit of the members they serve.

MN AWAIR Program Now Available On Demand

December 31, 2020

AASP-MN is pleased to announce its “Creating an AWAIR Program for Your Shop” webinar is now available on-demand.

All automotive repair facilities in Minnesota are required to have A Workplace Accident and Injury Reduction (AWAIR) program.  Minnesota OSHA has been out since July enforcing and citing violations of the AWAIR standard.

Webinar attendees will learn the purpose and requirements of the AWAIR standard and begin developing a customized program for their own shop. Registration includes a 20-minute phone consultation with CHESS to review draft programs.

The program is presented by Carol & Janet Keyes, Complete Health, Environmental & Safety Services (CHESS).

Cost for this webinar is $100 per member/$150 non-member shop.

To view the webinar, click “On Demand” at https://elearning.autoserviceproviders.com.

AASP-MN is an association of independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving Minnesota’s automotive service industry and the success of its nearly 750 members.  For more information, visit www.aaspmn.org.

AASP-MN Awards Scholarships to Automotive Students

May 11, 2020

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) is pleased to announce scholarship awards totaling $19,500 to help automotive service and collision repair students pay for tuition or tools during the 2020-21 school year. The scholarships are in the amount of $1,000 or $1,500 and were made possible by a successful fundraising drive within the AASP-MN membership, as well as generous donations from the Minnesota State I-CAR Committee and the Bill Smith Fund.

MNCARS Announces Motormouth™ Campaign

June 1, 2018

MNCARS – Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair and Service – is pleased to announce the launch of its Motormouth™ campaign. All automotive professionals across Minnesota are invited to join the movement to promote auto service and collision repair careers and fill the pipeline of future employees by being a Motormouth for the industry! And MNCARS has created a fully stocked toolbox (www.carcareers.org/motor-mouth/) of information to help them get started.

The Motormouth toolbox contains a variety of resources, tips and materials to help industry members get involved in their local community and start having conversations with customers, community members and students about the career potential in the automotive industry.

Tools found in the toolbox include:
• Display, presentation and handout materials for local career fairs, speaking engagements or other events
• Promotional materials to display at places of business (window cling, poster, etc.)
• Information to post on personal or business social media pages
• A website badge to show participation in the Motormouth initiative

All members of the automotive service industry are encouraged to seek out events and speaking opportunities in their local schools, chambers of commerce, car clubs and other community organizations. The toolbox has all of the materials Motormouths will need to spread the message about the important opportunities and roles within the automotive industry and ensure that repairers have the talented employees they need to succeed.

Dan Sjolseth, MNCARS chairman and owner of Superior Service Center in Eagan and Apple Valley, states, “In order to really make a difference, this work has to be undertaken by more than just AASP-MN staff and a handful of active and dedicated volunteers. The entire industry must pitch in, get involved and do their part to help solve the industry’s workforce shortage.”

MNCARS was established in 2016 by the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) to raise awareness of career opportunities in the auto service and collision repair industry and to recruit students into college automotive education programs and industry jobs. The initiative has reached thousands of potential students, parents and counselors through its website, social media, event participation and presentations to middle and high school classes. Visit www.carcareers.org to learn more.

AASP-MN Awards Scholarships to Automotive Students

June 1, 2018

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) is pleased to announce scholarship awards totaling nearly $16,000 to help automotive service and collision repair students pay for tuition and tools during the 2018-19 school year. The scholarships are in the amount of $1,000 per student and were made possible by a successful fundraising drive within the AASP-MN membership, as well as generous donations from the Minnesota State I-CAR Committee and the Bill Smith Fund.

Thirty-seven college and high school students from 14 schools submitted scholarship applications. Applications were reviewed by a committee of industry representatives, with consideration given to scholastic achievement, education and career goals, financial need and written recommendations.

The recipients are:

• Maxwell Asplund, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie – Auto Body Collision Repair
• James Baskfield, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie – Auto Body Collision Repair
• Benjamin Erickson, Hibbing Community College, Hibbing – Automotive Service Technology
• Jose Guerrero, Century College, White Bear Lake – Auto Body Collision Repair
• Kurt Hanlin, Jr., Century College, White Bear Lake – Automotive Service Technology
• Tiffani Hauta-Sanders, Hibbing Community College, Hibbing – Automotive Service Technology
• Hunter Hedstrom, MN State Community & Technical College, Moorhead – Automotive Service Technology
• Eric Hoffman, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie – Automotive Service Technology
• Logan Koffler, Pine Technical College, Pine City – Automotive Service Technology
• Jackson Lee, St. Paul Technical College, St. Paul – Automotive Service Technology
• Gavin Legrand, Century College, White Bear Lake – Automotive Service Technology
• Alan Ruiz-Rubio, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie – Auto Body Collision Repair
• Dustin Scheibel, South Central College, North Mankato – Auto Body Collision Repair
• Brandon Utech, Rochester Community & Technical College, Rochester – Automotive Service Technology
• Lane Walstrom, Ridgewater College, Willmar – Automotive Service Technology

Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!

The scholarship awards are the centerpiece of AASP-MN’s Automotive Education Fund, which was established to provide financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in the independent automotive service industry.

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) is an association of nearly 800 independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving the state’s automotive service industry and the success of its members.

MNCARS: Promoting Industry Careers

October 21, 2017

Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair and Service (MNCARS) is a non-profit organization established in 2016 by the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN). Its sole purpose is to promote careers in the automotive industry, recruit young people into the state’s college-level automotive service and collision repair programs and, ultimately, into industry workplaces. Now 20 months into the initiative, MNCARS is pleased to report progress on a number of fronts…

 Developed website, social media presence, marketing materials, counselors kit and other collateral to educate target audiences (“tinkerers”, school counselors and parents) about the career opportunities in today’s automotive service and collision repair industry
 Established an industry speaker’s bureau and recruited “student ambassadors” to promote careers in the auto service and collision industry
 Presented to middle school and high school automotive students and participated in career and college fairs throughout the state
 Activated social media campaign to drive traffic to carcareers.org
 Sponsored St. Cloud Times SPARK feature on transportation careers and event at St. Cloud CTC
 Distributed introductory materials and career promotion posters to school counselors
 Organized World of Wheels Student Day
 Attended MN School Counselors Association conference (2015 – 2017)
 Exhibited at Back to the 50s (2016 & 2017)

Dan Sjolseth, owner of Superior Service Centers in Eagan and Apple Valley, and chairman of MNCARS, states, “Those of us who have been involved in this effort from the beginning feel like we’re really starting to gain some momentum. Counselors, educators and parents appear to be much more receptive to the idea that a 4-year college degree is not for everyone and that the skilled trades – especially automotive – have a lot to offer: rewarding and varied career paths with high earnings potential in a high-tech, high-demand industry.”

Looking ahead, plans are underway to:

 Activate the grassroots army of AASP-MN members at the local level to spread the MNCARS message far and wide
 Partner with the MN Transportation Center of Excellence to deploy a career exploration trailer at local events to build interest and provide hands-on experiences related to automotive careers
 Continue presentations to high school automotive students and participation in career and college fairs throughout the state
 Continue social media engagement to drive traffic to carcareers.org
 Begin fundraising necessary to sustain the campaign into the future

Sjolseth added, “It’s going to take the work of the entire industry to keep driving our message home and make a bigger impact. The future of each and every automotive business depends on the availability of skilled technicians and other qualified employees. We encourage all members of the industry to put the resources developed by MNCARS to use in their own backyard to advocate and educate target audiences about the bright outlook for automotive service and collision repair careers and jobs in our state.”

The MNCARS initiative is made possible by the generous contributions of industry organizations and companies. Check out www.carcareers.org and visit the About Us page to see a list of sponsors and supporters. Those who are interested in contributing by volunteering their time or financial support should contact the AASP-MN office at 612-623-1110 or judell@aaspmn.org.

CarCareers.org Puts Students in the Driver’s Seat to their Future

July 26, 2016

Minnesota Careers in Automotive Repair and Service launches CarCareers.org as central resource for automotive career information

MINNEAPOLIS (June 30, 2016) – Each year, the demand for qualified automotive service and collision repair technicians and other industry employees far exceeds the supply of incoming professionals. To ensure a future workforce to keep Minnesota consumers driving, Minnesota Careers in Automotive Repair and Service (MNCARS) has launched a multifaceted campaign that provides students, parents, teachers and guidance counselors with a better picture of the pathways to success and career opportunities in the automotive industry.

“CarCareers.org will help parents, teachers, influencers and students overcome misperceptions about the automotive industry and attract the qualified job candidates employers desperately need,” said Judell Anderson, executive director of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota, founder and platinum sponsor of MNCARS. “With hundreds of jobs waiting for skilled employees, the time is now to attract new professionals to our technology-driven field.”

The website includes sections on: reasons to pursue an automotive career; facts to counter common misperceptions about the industry; career paths; success spotlights and a depiction of the 21st century automotive service and collision shop to demonstrate the cutting-edge diagnostics and computer-driven technology that is common in today’s shops. Visitors will come away with a better understanding of the advantages that a two-year automotive program offers in getting started in the workforce.

CarCareers.org was developed and will be hosted and managed by Autoshop Solutions, an award-winning web design and Internet marketing agency based in Apex, NC. “We are thrilled to be able to work with MNCARS on this campaign,” says Danny Sanchez, Founder and CEO of Autoshop Solutions. “CarCareers.org will serve as a positive introduction to the industry for thousands of people, and we are proud that we were chosen to help bring the campaign to life.”

Over the next two years, MNCARS will reach audiences by hosting events at schools and community locations for students to get hands-on exposure to car career jobs, developing and promoting media stories that feature local pros and their stories, sharing news coverage of the industry and creating a digital “toolkit” for counselors and teachers that presents accurate, positive information about the industry’s career options.

MNCARS’ first event was “Back to the 50s” on June 17-19 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Information was shared with teens and their parents about the exciting career opportunities that exist in the industry. Attendees were also encouraged to share their favorite photos from the event on Facebook. Information will also be available at the Street Machine Nationals event July 15- 17, also at the fairgrounds. “These events are a great forum to reach car hobbyists and get them thinking about turning their love for cars into a rewarding career,” said Anderson.

Visit www.CarCareers.org to learn more. MNCARS can also be found on Facebook.com/carcareers and on Instagram @carcareers.

About Minnesota Careers in Automotive Repair and Service
Minnesota Careers in Automotive Repair and Service (MNCARS) is a workforce initiative created by a cross-section of automotive industry representatives, including independent repair shops, multiple shop operators, suppliers, technical college administrators and other industry organizations. Its goal is to ensure a future workforce for Minnesota’s automotive service industry by raising awareness and recruiting people into technical college automotive education programs (collision and mechanical) and industry careers. MNCARS will help parents, influencers and students overcome misperceptions of the industry and attract the qualified employees the industry needs.

About Autoshop Solutions
Autoshop Solutions is an award-winning website design and Internet marketing agency based in Apex, NC. Since 2005, Autoshop Solutions has been helping the automotive industry with custom-designed websites and Internet marketing solutions, including Google Adwords, SEO, Social Media, Direct Mail, Custom Video, and more. For three years in a row, 2013, 2014 and 2015, Autoshop Solutions has been named to the Inc 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies and awarded seven years in a row by AutoInc. in the Top 10 Websites. Stay connected with Autoshop Solutions on Facebook and Twitter, or contact Autoshop Solutions Press press@autoshopsolutions.com for more information.

For more information, contact Judell Andersonaasp@aaspmn.org or visit the AASP-MN website, www.aaspmn.org.
MNCARS Launch Press Release

AASP-MN Awards $14,000 in Scholarships to Automotive Students

July 26, 2016

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) awarded $14,000 in scholarships to help post-secondary automotive students pay for tuition during the 2016-17 school year. The scholarships are in the amount of $1,000 per student and were made possible by a successful fundraising drive within the AASP-MN membership, as well as a generous donation from the Minnesota State I-CAR Committee. All recipients will be entering the second year of a NATEF-certified automotive program based in Minnesota.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients!

Thirty students from 12 schools were eligible for the scholarships. Applications were reviewed by a committee of industry representatives, with consideration given to scholastic achievement, education and career goals, financial need and written recommendations.

The scholarship awards are the centerpiece of AASP-MN’s Automotive Education Fund, which was established to provide financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in the independent automotive service industry.

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) is an association of nearly 800 independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving the state’s automotive service industry and the success of its members.

For more information, contact aasp@aaspmn.org or visit the AASP-MN website, www.aaspmn.org.

AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference Highlights

May 26, 2016

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) held its 2016 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference, April 14, at the Ramada Plaza, Minneapolis. The event, with the theme “Lead the Way,” offered seminars covering topics from effective leadership, industry consolidation, and authentic persuasion to how to increase diagnostic labor sales and improve workflow scheduling. In addition, there were ample opportunities for networking and socializing with industry peers.

Richard Flint kicked off the event with “Mastering the 5 Skills for Effective Leadership,” which explored the traits an individual must possess—and master— to establish true leadership. Brad Mewes of Supplement!, followed with “Help! My Industry is Consolidating,” which explained the state of industry consolidation and the challenges and opportunities that consolidation presents.

During the annual meeting, AASP-MN Lobbyist Kevin Walli gave a brief legislative update, the 2016-17 Board of Directors were introduced, and awards were presented to outgoing board members and other volunteer leaders. In addition, AASP-MN Executive Director Judell Anderson and Office Manager Jodi Pillsbury, were recognized for celebrating 20 and 25 years of service, respectively. After a report on the association’s initiatives, guests were treated to an inspiring keynote by Sam Silverstein, which highlighted the key elements to create a culture that prioritizes and inspires accountability.

Afternoon programming included, “Collision Workflow: Better Scheduling = Greater Success,” presented by Kent Carlson, Collision Resources, “Increase Your Diagnostic Labor Sales,” presented by Steve Taylor, Action Business Solutions, “Building Your Accountable Organization,” presented by Sam Silverstein, and “Authentic Persuasion: Communication That Moves Others to Action,” presented Josh Dye of Convene LLC. Peer-to-peer roundtable discussions wrapped up the day’s educational offerings.

When the seminars were over, attendees enjoyed a happy hour with vendor exhibits displaying everything from business insurance to rental cars. The relaxed environment provided attendees opportunities to network with others and learn about the latest products and services available to the automotive repair industry.

Following happy hour, the fun moved to the industry dinner and comedy show, where attendees were treated to a great dinner and entertainment by Comedian C. Willi Myles. The show, sponsored by Dent Impressions, left everyone in stitches.

In addition to AASP-MN, the following companies were sponsors of the event:

Gold Sponsors

Auto Value Parts Stores/APH Autoshop Solutions

Axalta Coating Systems

CBIZ AiA

Meadowbrook Insurance

PPG Automotive Finishes United Fire Group

Silver Sponsors

aaa Auto Parts

Dent Impressions

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

LKQ/Keystone Automotive

Lowell’s Performance Coatings & Equipment Midwest Parts Advantage

Mitchell International

O’Reilly Auto Parts

PAM’s Auto, Inc.

R.O. Writer

Suburban Chevrolet

Vendor Sponsors

3M

Choice Auto Rental

Dentsmart Paintless Dent Removal

FinishMaster

Global Finishing Solutions

Hertz Corporation

Insurance Brokers of MN, Inc./The Jensen Agency Kukui Corporation

Net Driven

Sherwin Willams

Single Source, Inc.

Valspar

AASP-MN is an association of independently-owned automotive service businesses and industry suppliers dedicated to improving Minnesota’s automotive service industry and the success of its nearly 800 members. For more information, www.aaspmn.org