LEESBURG, Va. – Aug. 25, 2026 – The California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) Foundation and ASE Connects are pleased to announce a new partnership focused on helping California dealerships build lasting relationships with the schools and students who are shaping the future of the automotive workforce.
ASE Connects is a growing network of shops, dealerships, instructors and students, offering workforce development tools designed to support the long-term health of the automotive industry. Through Dec. 31, 2026, all shops and dealerships can access the platform through its current free trial promotion. After the trial period ends, CNCDA Foundation partner dealerships will continue to receive discounted access to ASE Connects through their collaboration with ASE.
Building a Workforce That Lasts
California dealerships are facing a familiar challenge, too many open technician roles and not enough young people entering the trades to fill them. The shops making real headway are the ones investing in school relationships now, before the shortage becomes unmanageable.
The CNCDA Foundation has spent years building career pathways for the next generation of automotive service professionals through apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships and career day events across the state. This partnership with ASE Connects deepens that work, giving California dealerships a direct way to engage with local auto and diesel training programs, identify emerging talent and support students from the classroom all the way to the shop floor.
“California has no shortage of young people who would thrive in this industry. They just don’t always know the opportunity is there,” said Kim McPhaul, president, CNCDA Foundation. “The CNCDA Foundation has been working to change that, and partnering with ASE Connects gives our dealers a better way to meet those students where they are. The more interactions we can create between dealerships and schools, the stronger the pipeline gets for everyone, and ASE Connects makes it simple.”
“The CNCDA Foundation has built something really meaningful in California — a genuine infrastructure for getting students into automotive careers,” said Jay Goninen, vice president of industry advancement for ASE. “Pairing that with ASE Connects gives dealers a much more complete picture of the talent coming up, and a better way to show up as employers that students actually want to work for.”
California’s franchised dealerships who are interested in the free trial can sign up at wrenchway.com/partners/cncda.
About the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Established by the automotive industry in 1972 as a non-profit organization, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is a driving force in the transportation industry. As an independent third party, ASE upholds and promotes high standards of service and repair through the assessment, certification and credentialing of current and future industry professionals, and the prestigious ASE Blue Seal logo identifies professionals who possess the essential knowledge and skills to perform with excellence. Today, there are ASE Certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit www.ase.com.