ASE Connects now offers free profiles, résumé building for students
ASE Connects, formerly WrenchWay, now offers collision, automotive, and diesel students direct connections to shops and dealerships by creating free profiles.
Whether searching for internships, preparing for their first shop tour, or seeking a full-time job, ASE says students can use their profiles to highlight their interests, skills, experience, and career goals.
Earlier this year, ASE and WrenchWay launched ASE Connects to strengthen the technician pipeline by connecting schools and industry, expanding access to workforce data, and supporting automotive, diesel, and collision career pathways.
“Creating a free student profile gives students an opportunity to put themselves on the radar of shops and dealerships while taking an important step in their careers,” said Dave Johnson, president and CEO of ASE, in a press release. “It gives students a way to showcase who they are, what they are interested in, and where they want to go, while helping them make valuable connections and discover real-world opportunities.”
The profiles include school and program information, interests, skills, experience, and career goals. ASE Connects can also convert the profile into a résumé.
Students indicate the types of experiences they’re interested in, such as shop tours, job shadowing, internships, part-time jobs, or full-time employment. Shops and dealerships can then discover student profiles and reach out directly when they see a potential fit.
“A service professional career can start with one connection,” said Johnson. “A free student profile provides students with a simple way to start making those connections and explore opportunities that can help launch their careers.”
Students can create a free ASE Connects account and student profile here or by downloading the ASE Connects mobile app.
Shops and dealerships that are interested in accessing student profiles can sign up for a free trial of ASE Connects here.
The U.S. economy is short roughly 140,000 skilled technicians a year, and the gap is widening, with 73,354 new collision repair entrant technicians needed by 2029, according to the TechForce Foundation’s latest “Technician Supply, Demand & Opportunity Report.”
Collision/autobody program completions have grown 14.2% year over year to 5,462, the strongest growth rate of any sector. Only 325 institutions offer collision programs nationally. Texas leads completions at 11.2%.
“Pipeline expansion without retention reform will not solve the shortage,” the report states. “Industry must invest in the conditions that keep technicians engaged, including comprehensive benefits, clear career pathways, modern tools, and workplace cultures that support long-term success. You cannot solve a shortage if you cannot keep the people you train.”
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