Nissan Canada announced a three-year partnership with Accelerate Auto—a not-for-profit organization that strives to increase opportunities for Black people in the Canadian automotive industry, while also tackling subjects such as systemic racism.
The OEM announced the news on March 9 via a press release and notes that the partnership will support Accelerate Auto’s education programs, which aims to attract, develop, and promote Black talent in the industry.
“As we work to make Canada’s auto industry more inclusive, and to attract the next generation of Black talent to the automotive industry, we are very pleased to announce the support from Nissan Canada,” said Christopher Nabeta, Founding Member of Accelerate Auto.
The partnership with Accelerate Auto is a first by an automaker in Canada, and aims to support the organization’s efforts in attracting more Black talent to the industry, which it does in part through education programs that aim to attract, develop, and promote Black talent in the industry.
“One of Nissan Canada’s focus areas is education, and this aligns perfectly with our organization’s outreach to Black high school, university and college students looking for exciting and rewarding career opportunities,” said Nabeta.
Steve Milette, President of Nissan Canada, said the OEM aspires to attract more diverse talent within Canada’s auto sector. “Nissan Canada yearns to establish lasting partnerships to ensure its efforts lead to long-term tangible and sustainable benefits to people’s lives. We believe this partnership will achieve that objective.”
In its news release, the OEM also said there is a “severe lack of Black representation” across all sectors of the industry, from dealerships to OEMs, suppliers and the aftermarket—including from entry-level to the C-suite.
Accelerate Auto continues to work with various school boards, universities and colleges to tackle this issue. Its members take part in speaking opportunities and other engagements to introduce students to the career opportunities available to them in the auto sector. Nissan Canada said the partnership will allow the OEM to help support these efforts.
More information about Accelerate Auto is available at www.accelerateauto.ca.
