CAWA’s annual dinner gala, exclusively sponsored by Motorcar Parts of America, was very well attended and successful, in terms of, recognizing volunteer leaders and raising funds for the Association’s two scholarship programs (i.e., for students and automotive high school teachers, called the Selwyn Joffe, Motorcar Parts of America Scholarship Award). Officers inducted for the 2023 year include Young Suhr, Jr. of APW Knox-Seeman Warehouse as Chair of the Board; Tom Ogaz of the Parts Authority as Vice-Chair; Wayne Schaack of the Pronto Network as Treasurer and Dan Hanson Jr, Hanson Distributing Company as Secretary to the Board. Also, Michael Rukov of IMR, Inc will serve as the Immediate Past Chair of the Board in 2023. Join CAWA for its next meeting on February 22-24, 2023, at the Silverado Resort & Spa, Napa California (www.silveradoresort.com). Watch for registration materials.

“Being awarded the CAWA Scholarship allowed me to purchase some tools to get ahead of the game with some quality tools”!

With the awareness that a transportation industry technician shortage had already been underway for some time, TechForce Foundation began providing forecasts on industry technician supply and demand numbers back in 2017. This 2022 report provides the current status for technician supply and new entrant demand.

This year, the news is mixed. There are some signs of encouragement in the automotive and diesel sectors with total technician employment increasing over 2021. On the other hand, the number of collision technicians employed slipped lower once again, continuing the pattern seen over the past several years. What is most concerning is the continuing trend seen in the inadequate supply of graduates from post-secondary programs (completions) in automotive, diesel and collision technology. With completions, the most positive note is that the diesel segment did not lose any ground, remaining totally flat from 2020 to 2021. 

Collision numbers dropped very slightly, at a 0.4% decrease. Of greatest concern is the automotive sector, which incurred a very significant drop in completions of 11.8% in just one year.

For the first time this year, we will begin looking at the aviation industry with the intent to include it moving forward as an additional element of our Supply and Demand Report. In 2022, we will provide historical employment numbers for aviation and avionics technicians as well as Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for segment growth and turnover from 2021-2031. Read more here. Source: Our Friends at TechForce Foundation

“To borrow an old tagline, ‘Membership Has It’s Privileges’ - and that is definitely the case with CAWA. From holding two educational forums a year that include presentations on the most challenging issues facing our industry to being on the forefront of legislation that is being considered at both the State (it all starts out West) and Federal levels, CAWA is the place to be. Having evolved from an association comprised of California wholesalers to now including Arizona & Nevada as well as members from all facets of the industry (Manufacturers, Retailers, Program Groups, E-tailers, Rep Agencies, and even Educators), CAWA gives you the opportunity to interact with leaders from every segment of the Aftermarket. My personal favorite ‘privilege' is being a member of the MAC’s (Manufacturers’ Advisory Council) Automotive Scholarship Review Committee. It is very rewarding being able to help individuals with a desire to join our industry pursue their dream as well as assist educators in need of resources. If not a member, attending one of CAWA’s previously mentioned educational forums is highly recommended. Try it – I think you’ll like it!”

~Anthony Wallerich, ZF Services, LLC

Originally passed in 2018 and effective in 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a comprehensive privacy law aimed at enhancing California residents’ privacy rights and consumer protection. To ensure those privacy rights and protections, the act requires covered businesses to follow strict privacy requirements regarding personal information they collect about consumers, such as requiring a covered business to notify consumers about the kinds of personal information it collects about them and what it’s used for. But those privacy rights and consumer protections didn’t stop there: at the end of 2020, California voters approved Proposition 24, known as the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). The CPRA amended the CCPA, building on its framework and expanding some of its protections. While some amendments took effect immediately on approval, many provisions will take effect on January 1, 2023. Also on January 1, 2023, the exemption of employment-related information from most of the law’s requirements expires — which means covered employers must get ready to comply. Read more here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce

The Association created a Political Action Committee (PAC) which allows CAWA to strengthen our Association's voice by supporting key decision-makers who truly understand our industry and the work we do. The political climate is constantly changing, and it is important that we have resources to help look out for the best interests of our industry and member companies. Every member company and individuals within those companies has the opportunity to contribute to the PAC in support of industry and business issues.

For more information on the PAC and where the funds are spent, contact admin@cawa.org or 800.332.2292. Recall, too, that CAWA will be holding a PAC wine tasting fundraiser at the February Leadership Meeting in Napa on February 22, 2023. Contact programs@cawa.org for further information.

California Governor Newsom has signed into law legislation that would bar employers from discriminating against employees and job applicants who use cannabis on their time off. The new law does not bar employers from drug-testing, but it does impose restrictions on what they can do in response to a positive test. Here's what you can and can't do as an employer if you have staff who use cannabis recreationally on their personal time. Source: Our Partners at Armstrong & Associates

Automotive businesses can enhance their health plan benefits for their valued employees with the CAWA Arizona Health Trust (CAWA) Association Health Plan through Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (BCBSAZ). For more details, click here. 

You could be saving your company many insurance premium dollars and enhancing your health insurance benefits! Another 

member benefit.

Good employees are hard to find and even harder to keep. Maximize your CAWA membership with a discounted health insurance plan and keep your employees happy! Visit prominencehealthplan.com/cawa to request more information. CAWA Nevada business members with 2 – 50 employees can benefit from collective buying power, accessing the benefits and rates typically offered to large companies.

With Association Health Insurance Plans businesses can:

• OFFER comprehensive health benefits for enrolled members & dependents
• ACCESS the region’s most loved doctors
• ENROLL at any time regardless of any current health coverage
• SAVE money, and
• SHARE those savings with your employees!

Located in Nevada and ready to request a quote or learn more?

Visit prominencehealthplan.com/cawa or call Prominence at 877-737-0184 today!