MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Ryder
Charitable Foundation, which directs charitable giving and support
on behalf of Ryder
System, Inc. (NYSE: R), in four strategic pillars – expertise,
innovation, safety, and community collaboration – today announced the 17
scholarship winners of the 2016 SkillsUSA and Ryder Diesel scholarship.
Ryder recently provided a $50,000 donation to SkillsUSA,
a nonprofit partnership of students, instructors, and industry that
ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive.
The gift, which is a part of Ryder’s giving strategy supporting
expertise, will provide student scholarships to help educate the next
generation of commercial vehicle technicians. Another portion of the
funds has been designated for enhanced diesel technology labs
(classrooms).
“Ryder is happy to make diesel equipment technology training more
affordable for aspiring technicians,” said Patrick Pendergast, Group
Director of Recruiting Services, Ryder. “The men and women we invest in
today will transform into the technicians of tomorrow, with the power to
make an impact on the future of America’s commercial vehicle
transportation industry.”
The 17 scholarship recipients are as follows:
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Stephen Allen, Orange Technical College-Mid Florida Campus (Orlando,
Fla.)
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Cory Bettenhausen, Minnesota State Community and Technical College
(Fergus Falls, Minn.)
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Kheigan Bott, Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston, Idaho)
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Thomas Distelcamp, Mercer County Technical School (Trenton, N.J.)
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Elizabeth Driml, College of Western Idaho (Nampa, Idaho)
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Alexander Fischer, Niagara Career and Technical Education Center
(Medina, N.Y.)
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Emmett Fox, CPAVTS (Mechanicsburg, Penn.)
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Matt Gardner, Automotive Training Center (Warminster, Pa.)
-
Jeremy Hartman, Minnesota State Community and Technical College
(Fergus Falls, Minn.)
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Nicholas Lierz, North Central KS Technical College (Beloit, Kan.)
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Krysten Linville, Central Lakes College (Brainerd, Minn.)
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John Lunde, Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Fergus
Falls, Minn.)
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Charlee Sheidy, Sollers Point Technical High School (Dundalk, Md.)
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Steve Silva, College of Western Idaho (Nampa, Idaho)
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Austin Sparks, Milwaukie High School (Milwaukie, Ore.)
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Lane Trissel, Rainier High School (Rainier, Wash.)
-
Devon Werle, Fountain Fort Carson High School (Fountain, Colo.)
The scholarship winners, who will receive $1,000 each, are SkillsUSA
members and students continuing their education in Diesel Equipment
Technology. SkillsUSA has more than 2,600 student members – 998
college/postsecondary and 3,635 high school members – who are enrolled
in Diesel Equipment Technology in 258 classroom labs across the United
States. Those interested in learning more about the scholarship, can
visit www.skillsusa.org/ryder-scholarship-grant-opportunities/.
“There is a growing shortage of skilled diesel technicians and it is
estimated we will need 200,000 trained technicians over the next decade
to keep up with the demand,” said Tim Lawrence, SkillsUSA executive
director. “These are good paying jobs that already exist, but we must
train students to fill them. Ryder’s grant to support 17 students will
equip more students with the diesel skills we need in America. These
scholarships will help students to further their education in this much
needed field of work and we are grateful to Ryder for their partnership
and support.”
Ryder has the best technicians in the industry and values the importance
of technical training for ensuring the quality maintenance of its more
than 230,000 total vehicles managed, and a commitment to quality
customer service for Ryder’s lease and maintenance customers. To find
out what diesel technician positions are available at Ryder, click here.
Ryder Charitable Foundation
Established in 1984, the Ryder Charitable Foundation demonstrates
community and industry leadership and inspires trust by supporting
causes that address needs in communities where Ryder does business in
the United States. The Foundation proactively solicits proposals from
and awards grants solely to IRS certified, 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organizations whose goals align with Ryder’s core values in four
strategic pillars – Expertise, Innovation, Safety, and Collaboration.
The Foundation is funded by operating profits of Ryder System, Inc.,
(NYSE: R), a leader in commercial
fleet management, dedicated
transportation, and supply
chain solutions.
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. Skills gap. This
nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures
America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded
in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, SkillsUSA
serves more than 300,000 students and instructors each year in middle
schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers
130 technical, skilled and service occupations, the majority
STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses
and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level.
SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education
through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded
in academics. Local, state and national championships, planned and
judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical
education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also
offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For
more information, go to: www.SkillsUSA.org.
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Source: Ryder System, Inc.