ADVANCE FOUNDATION
EDUCATION/JOB READINESS From supporting post-secondary educational opportunities to training and upskilling our existing workforce, investing in education and job readiness helps to create a more productive society and supports growth for the economy. In 2021, we proudly supported several meaningful opportunities in this area. INCREASING DIVERSITY AMONG AUTO TECHNICIANS THROUGH A FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND PARTNERSHIP Not only is the U.S. currently facing a worsening shortage of automotive technicians, but the industry also lacks diverse representation in these roles. In fact, 91 percent of technicians identify as male and more than two-thirds of technicians identify as white or non-Hispanic. To help improve these troubling statistics, the Advance Auto Parts Foundation committed $200,000 to Wake Technical Community College (NC) for a first-of-its-kind recruitment initiative aimed at increasing student diversity in the school’s automotive systems technology and collision repair programs. The funding is used to conduct direct outreach in Wake County high schools to encourage diverse populations to pursue automotive career paths and to provide $5,000 scholarships each to 25 students enrolling in the program over the next five years to help offset educational and living expenses. In addition, Advance, through our DieHard brand, committed $50,000 to outfit the school’s two tool rooms, supporting student learning on and off campus by providing students access to tools for temporary use. SUPPORTING SUMMER LEARNING Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation serves approximately 500 students annually, providing up to three years of tuition for high school graduates who meet program requirements. A $50,000 gift from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation is helping to cover unbudgeted tuition gaps for students enrolled in summer sessions, many of whom have jobs and families to support while attending school to better their future.
PROVIDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT FOR WOMEN Dress for Success Triangle (NC) supports underserved women through career development and career-retention programs specifically tailored to help them achieve success in their job search and to thrive in their careers and in life. These programs are supported by corporate partners and over 500 volunteers and have benefitted more than 19,500 Triangle women since the affiliate was founded. A $25,000 gift from the Advance Auto Parts Foundation covers the costs for 100 women to participate in Dress for Success Triangle’s Going Places Network, a program in partnership with local community colleges that provides one-on-one coaching, interview practice and networking opportunities. ADVANCING POST-HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING FOR TEAM MEMBER DEPENDENTS We continued our legacy O. Temple Sloan, Jr. Founder’s Scholarship Program, which began in 2002 and benefits the dependents of Advance team members who wish to continue their education beyond high school. In the school year 2020-2021, we broadened the selection criteria to include a greater focus on financial need and expanded the list of qualifying post-secondary pursuits to include vocational and trade schools. A total of $160,000 in scholarships was awarded to 36 students.
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2021 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL REPORT | 48
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