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Training Programs
Build a Career in the Collector Car Industry
Turn your love of cars into a rewarding career in auto restoration and service.
We get it. You’re the type to spend hours scrolling through your social media feed for your daily fix of vintage car models and racing highlights. You love working on your own car and can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday than at the local car show. But can a passion for cars really be turned into a fulfilling career? Whether you already know this is the path for you or you’re still looking to find that answer, we’re committed to helping you take the next big step. Check out our scholarships and apprenticeships below to learn more and apply.
Scholarship
The Piston Fund
The Piston Fund program provides automotive trades scholarships to graduates with an interest in collector cars. If you plan to enroll in a 2- or 4-year automotive technology program and you have a strong interest in working with collector cars, a Piston Fund scholarship can help make school more affordable.
Apprenticeship
The Piston Academy
The Piston Academy program provides apprenticeship placements and training grants to qualified technicians who want to begin a career in collector car restoration. If you are a working automotive technician, the Piston Academy can provide job placement and grant money to make an earn-as-you-learn restoration apprenticeship possible.
Skilled trades today
The U.S. is currently facing a workforce shortage across all skilled trade industries.
According to a recent report by Stanley Black & Decker, the skilled labor shortage has left 650,000 jobs, including those in the car restoration industry, unfilled. There is, however, a silver lining to all this. There has never been a better time to pursue a career in the skilled trades and an education in these fields will place any qualified candidate in high demand. Our Piston foundation scholarship or apprenticeship aims to bring you one step closer to working in one of these highly valued and rewarding skilled trades careers.
From the Piston Blog
Training the Next Gen of Automotive Restoration the MPI Way.
Jim Wallner, operations manager with Motion Products, Inc. (MPI), is using his skills to help ensure the future of automotive restoration.
Aidan Klaas Shares His Experience
Aidan is a freshman at McPherson College and was kind enough to share his experience with the Piston Foundation.
The Importance of Apprenticeships in Automotive Restoration
Piston Ambassador Ted Dellacamera put down his tools for a moment to talk about his latest project, highlighting the importance of teaching restoration skills to a new generation of specialists.
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