The kids are coming back.
The Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), GenNext and Northwood University announce 21 students from Northwood have received scholarships to attend Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) 2016 as part of the event’s Intern program.
According to organizers, the interns spend the week shadowing their sponsor’s staff and executives during the various elements of HDAW, including the product expo, 1-1 meetings, customer dinners and meetings and a range of duties designed to give them a full and meaningful experience.
The intern sponsor companies are Alcoa, Bendix, Bergstrom, Carlisle Brake, CVSN, Dana, Dayton Parts, Dorman Products, Grote, HDA Truck Pride, HDMA, Hendrickson, Meritor, MGM Brake, Minimizer, PSI, SAF Holland, Tenneco, VIPAR Heavy Duty and ZF Services. Each company sponsorship covers their intern’s airfare, airport transport, hotel stay, meals, and HDAD and HDAW registration.
“It is a key HDMA strategy to expose millennials to our industry. We have been working for many years with Northwood University to assist us in introducing ambitious, driven, responsible students to our members. We are very happy to be working with the people at Northwood and the GenNext organization on this important program,” says Tim Kraus, president and COO of HDMA. “We thank our sponsoring companies and organizations for their support.”
Nearly forty students applied for scholarships to attend the event, and after interviews, twenty one were chosen to receive scholarships to attend the conference.
“This program is literally a career catapult for the students that put in the time and effort and I couldn’t be happier to help them out and enhance the heavy-duty industry with highly capable candidates to help fill open positions,” says GenNext President Steve Hansen.
“The student internship program gives the Northwood students the most valuable lessons they could learn with real-world experience and hands on projects,” says Nikki Paschall of HDA Truck Pride and board member of GenNext. “We’re ecstatic to be able to bring 21 students to HDAW this year where they will have the opportunity to make professional connections that will not only last a lifetime, but help launch their careers in the heavy-duty aftermarket.”
“The Aftermarket Management degree at Northwood University was created to supply the industry with its next generation of leaders. HDAW extends the student’s education by providing real-life conference and trade show work experience while getting to know individual companies,” says Donna M. Wagner, Aftermarket management chair and professor at Northwood University. “On the flip side, it is the industry’s opportunity to connect with students and their potential next employees. A win-win for all involved!”
Adds Kraus, “Our goal is to familiarize bright, young talent with the heavy-duty supplier industry, with the intent of encouraging their interest in the market, while introducing them as interns and potential employment candidates to our members.”
