On Tuesday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET, the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) will host a General Membership Meeting and Panel Discussion on Building Your Future Workforce: Practical Hiring Pathways for Automotive Businesses.
Designed to address the urgent need for sustainable talent pipelines in the industry, this session will help automotive businesses strengthen their future workforce by understanding proven talent pathways, including hands-on training, certified education, and institutional college programs, as well as helping students and parents see that there is more than one road to success.
The session will be moderated by Kevin Webb, owner of Hot Rod Custom Garage. Panelists include George Arrants, vice president at ASE Education Foundation; Cindy Barlow, director of industry relations at Wyotech; and Aaron Valencia, executive director and founder at Lost Angels Career Center. Together, they will help shop owners understand what students value today, how to communicate career progression clearly, and how to build a culture that supports long-term retention and growth.
Discussion topics include:
- Talent pipeline challenges and growth strategies
- Multiple entry ways into the industry
- The early engagement and mentorship model
- Career profession and retention strategies
- Aligning shop culture with next generation workforce expectations
- Action steps for partnership and hiring within 90 days
- Executing a long-term industry-to-education vision
Whether you’re looking to attract, develop, or retain the next generation of talent at your business, this event will help you understand the training pathways available today, how to connect with emerging talent, and actionable steps you can take immediately to begin building a stronger workforce pipeline.