Lincoln Tech and Mazda North American Operations have entered a partnership that will allow Mazda dealers to recruit automotive technician students as they near the end of their training at Lincoln Tech Queens campus in New York, according to a news release from U.S.-based Lincoln Educational Services Corporation.
The news comes thanks to the recent launch of Lincoln Tech and Mazda’s Certified Technician Training Partnership. It was formally announced during an event at the Lincoln Tech Queens campus that was attended by senior executives from both companies and more than 250 Lincoln Tech automotive students.
“There’s a shortage of qualified auto technicians all across the nation,” said Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO Scott Shaw. Based on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York is anticipated to have have more than 40,000 job openings for automotive technicians by 2026. On a national level, the projection for these types of jobs is more than 750,000.
As part of the partnership, Mazda donated vehicles and training equipment to the Queens campus. The OEM also plans to provide new vehicles in the near-future. Students hired by Mazda are eligible to receive a number of benefits, such as student loan repayment, a guaranteed living wage, and one-on-one mentorship with senior Mazda technicians.
“Our students will benefit through loan repayment and the mentorship experience; the campus will benefit from donated vehicles and equipment provided by Mazda; and we’re confident that Mazda will benefit from the graduates that go to work for their dealerships,” said Shaw.
