By becoming host sites, dealerships not only help students, but they also directly address their own workforce needs. Every camp creates a pipeline of entry-level technicians who are trained in a dealership environment so they are already comfortable with the pace, expectations, and culture of the service department. This creates a smoother transition from training into full-time employment, thus reducing turnover and giving dealerships a competitive edge in a challenging labor market. We extend our deepest gratitude to the dealerships that have already partnered with TAP, as well as to those currently considering it. Your investment in training the next generation of automotive professionals is both practical and inspiring. You’re not just filling jobs; you’re building careers and shaping the future of the industry in New Jersey. STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES: REAL IMPACT, REAL OPPORTUNITIES While numbers and projections matter, the real impact of TAP is best seen in the lives of the students who are participating right now. Their journeys show just how transformative this program can be. Take Zakia, for example: She began her journey studying automotive technology at her local community college. While classroom lessons gave her a foundation, she quickly realized she was missing real, hands-on training. She found this in TAP. Within just a few weeks of joining the bootcamp, Zakia was confidently performing basic maintenance tasks and was building the practical skills she’d been seeking. Now, she sees herself working in a dealership service department and is determined to continue her training to become a master technician! Then there’s Jeremiah, who comes to class after working as a pest control technician. He was searching for more stability, a better earning potential, and a career where he could truly grow, but he didn’t know where to start. TAP gave him that direction. Training on real vehicles inside a dealership and learning directly from experienced professionals gave him the confidence and hands-on skills he needed. Today, Jeremiah not only has valuable experience to add to his resume, but he also has an interview lined up with a dealership upon graduation. For him, TAP isn’t just training; it’s the first real step toward building a lifelong career. These stories demonstrate that a student’s willingness to learn — combined with a determination to succeed — is more valuable than having prior experience. This is the true heart of TAP: Providing the structure, training, and opportunities students need to turn their determination into a lifelong career. WHY TAP MATTERS TO COMMUNITIES TAP is not just about filling positions; it’s about strengthening communities. Every graduate who finds employment represents not only a personal success story but a positive impact on their family and neighborhood. Stable, good-paying careers reduce unemployment, improve local economies, and create role models for others seeking a pathway forward. Automotive technology is evolving rapidly, and today’s technicians are not just turning wrenches; they are working with advanced diagnostics, electric vehicles, hybrid systems, and complex computer-driven systems. This makes TAP even more valuable by ensuring that New Jersey communities have local technicians trained in the skills of the future, ready to keep vehicles safe and reliable. LOOKING AHEAD As we expand TAP to more locations across New Jersey, we are guided by the mission to connect motivated individuals with the tools, training, and opportunities they need to succeed in the automotive industry. Our future bootcamps will continue to focus on accessibility, ensuring that cost, geography, or lack of experience are never a barrier. By committing to strengthening our partnerships with dealerships, community organizations, workforce development boards, schools, and state agencies like NJDOL, we can ensure that TAP continues to grow and evolve, reaching more students, preparing more technicians, and supporting more dealerships every year. A FINAL WORD OF THANKS To our dealership partners: Thank you for stepping up. Your leadership makes TAP possible, and your commitment ensures its success. To our students: Thank you for taking the leap. Your courage and hard work prove every day why programs like TAP matter. To our broader community of supporters: Thank you for believing in this vision. Together, we are building not just careers, but futures. NJ CAR’s TAP initiative is more than a bootcamp; it’s a movement to transform lives and strengthen the automotive industry across New Jersey. This is only the beginning. 17 NEW JERSEY auto retailer
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