Business
XPEL Sponsors Will Castro’s Unique Academy in NYC
Program helps address auto technician shortage by providing hands-on training to teenage students SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- XPEL, Inc. (Nasdaq: XPEL), a
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[{"type":"text","content":"\nProgram helps address auto technician shortage by providing hands-on training to teenage students\n\n\n SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nXPEL, Inc. (Nasdaq: XPEL), a global provider of protective films and coatings, has partnered with legendary car customizer and TV star, Will Castro, on Castro’s Unique Academy, a student mentorship program in West Hempstead, NYC that provides teenagers with hands-on training. The 20 students currently enrolled are 17-19 years old and are in the midst of completing a 12-week program that provides valuable automotive technical instruction such as applying window film, ceramic coating and paint protection film – as well as business and leadership skills.\n\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240617142835/en/Will Castro and students in his Unique Academy, sponsored by XPEL. The students receive automotive technical instruction such as applying window film, ceramic coating and paint protection film – as well as business and leadership skills. (Photo: Business Wire)\nThe program is designed to help address the drastic need for more auto technicians in the U.S. According to MarketWatch, the country needs 100,000 new auto technicians a year to keep up with demand.\n\n\nCastro, known as one of the world’s preeminent car customizers and for his TV series, Unique Rides, founded the Unique Academy earlier this year. Its inaugural class began in April with the goal to provide underprivileged youth an opportunity to learn and grow.\n\n\n“The car industry has been so great to me,” said Castro. “Kids need someone, or something, to look up to. Not everyone can hit a baseball over the fence or shoot a jump shot like Steph Curry. This program is designed to get these kids interested in, and excited about, working on cars. It gives them an opportunity to grow their skill set. Maybe we’ll even inspire the next Will Castro!”\n\n\nXPEL provides funding for the program, the window film, paint protection film and ceramic coating products used in class, as well as guest instructors to help with the training.\n\n\n“For us, this is a chance to engage and excite the next generation of XPEL installers,” said Chris Hardy, XPEL’s Senior Director of Sales. “Working with Will and his team – and getting to know the students – has been incredibly fun and r...