Feedback Wanted on Educational Classes and Training
Reminder: Free Safety Inspection Posters
Final Reminder: Scholarship Applications and Donations Deadline Approaching Next Week!
MBP Spotlight: T&R Oil
NJGCA Networking Event – Join Us!
We will be hosting a fun networking event for our members on ThursdayJune 22nd from 5 to 7 PM at Tommy’s Tavern and Tap in Clifton for our members to get together, have some drinks and good food and meet some of the MBPs in our program. We would like to make more of an effort post-pandemic to get our members together to socialize, have some fun, and talk with fellow folks in the industry. Bring your employees, spouse, or even a nonmember colleague and show them the value of belonging to an industry association. Are you interested in attending? Register TODAY here! We also are offering opportunities to sponsor the event, if you are interested email Joe@njgca.org. Your support is appreciated!
Feedback Wanted on Educational Classes and Training
Over the last few months, NJGCA has been investigating an alternative means of delivering supplemental training opportunities to our members. Our search has included online instruction, on-demand videos, and other methods.
Nevertheless, last week Board President Joe Ocello met with an educational services provider to explore potential offerings to reinforce our own training classes. Though discussions are ongoing, and we’re not prepared to make any announcements, the visit did provide an opening for us to reflect on what potential topics, accreditations, and training opportunities our members would like to see.
For over 15 years, our Association has run a successful training program that focuses largely on two areas. The first is the NJ State INL gasoline/passenger- and heavy-duty/diesel-emission inspector classes. The second is the Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP)/Emission Repair Technician (ERT) training for those seeking such accreditation (and, once the ETEP classroom training track was eliminated in 2020, we refocused on offering ASE-prep classes for those seeking to win their ERT credentials). We can proudly state that our training program has not only educated our members, but also fleet customers, state agencies, and even big-box delivery and logistics companies.
Though the vast majority of our members have broadly asked only for the two above-mentioned offerings, our recent meeting compelled us to ask what kind of additional classes you'd like to see offered. While many will wholly concentrate on technical training, perhaps broader options would be welcomed.
For instance, perhaps you'd like to take a class that helps you to run your shop better? Maybe you'd like to learn how to operate a workflow management system to keep your operation running smoothly? If you're new to the business, would a "crash course" in how to maximize profits be helpful? Or maybe you'd want ASE study classes beyond the L1, A6, and A8 required to win your ERT accreditations?
We're just throwing out ideas and spit-balling, but maybe there is something you or your employees need training on that we can eventually offer. And if so, we'd like to investigate how we can help to make that happen.
If you'd like to get in on the discussion and offer up some suggestions, please feel free to email Joe (joe@njgca.org) and Nick (nick@njgca.org) with your thoughts.
Reminder: Free Safety Inspection Posters
When we moved offices a few months ago, we turned up a whole bunch of safety inspection posters that we had created when the state eliminated safety inspections in 2010. Its purpose is to remind your auto repair customers that even though they are not mandated to have a safety inspection, they are still legally required to maintain a safe vehicle by having all of what’s listed on the poster, or they can be ticketed. In addition, it reminds the motorist that these are all safety features that keep them and their passengers safe. If you would like one of these for your shop, we are happy to provide these to our members free of charge. Email Nick@njgca.org if you are interested in having this mailed or would to pick one up at our office in Eatontown:
Final Reminder: Scholarship Applications and Donations Deadline Approaching Next Week!
Do you know of an upcoming or current college student that could use some extra money for school? Do not waste any more time! Our scholarship application is live and we are accepting both mailed and online applications submitted before June 8th. We have been able to award scholarship funds to children of NJGCA members and the children of employees of NJGCA members. Last year, $10,000 was awarded with $5,000 being contributed thanks to the generosity of Utica Insurance. Utica Insurance is the insurance company that insures many NJGCA members. The contribution was arranged by NJGCA MBP World Insurance (Amato Agency). Once again Utica has contributed $5,000 towards a scholarship that is to be awarded to a student attending an automotive technical school or studying automotive technology. Each NJGCA member will be entitled to submit ONE application that will be reviewed by the scholarship committee. While the Utica donation must go towards automotive training, other funds can be given to a deserving student studying anything. Applicants may be either the child/grandchild of a member, or an employee, or the child of an employee that works for the NJGCA member. You can find both the mail-in application and the online application HERE.Do not forget to include the other documentation required (transcripts, essays, etc) to be considered.
This year we have also requested our membership to help contribute to the scholarship funds so more students will be able to benefit. We are still conducting our Scholarship Drive, and we need your help! Even if every member gave as little as $25 to $50, we would be able to help several students with their continuing education. No donation is too small and remember, it is tax deductible! Send in your donation today! The scholarship benefits your family and employees’ families. You can either mail a check or donate online.
Let’s show this year’s recipients the generosity of NJGCA members!
Scan the QR code or visit the link to find the scholarship donation page.
T&R Oil Companyoffers a variety of supply options to New Jersey retailers including Exxon, Mobil and CITGO branded gasoline and diesel Sub-jobbers are welcome. They’ve been in business for more than a century.
All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 615 Hope Road, Building 2, 1st Floor, Eatontown, NJ 07724
ASE Training Course - Reach Out Today!
Are you (or an employee) getting ready to take your A6, A8, or L1 in preparation to recertifying your Emission Repair Technician (ERT) credentials through the State's Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP)?
We can help --- but we need to hear from you, first! NJGCA wants to hear from students interested in our ASE-prep training program, so we can gauge demand and schedule our next session series.
As you know, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has always maintained a "dual-track" system to allow technicians to earn their Emission Repair Technician (ERT) credentials through New Jersey's Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP). In doing so, technicians were allowed to certify as ERTs through either an ASE-test track or an ETEP-educational class track. Starting on January 1, 2020, NJDEP amended the ETEP criteria, and the ETEP-educational class track was abolished.
Today, only the ASE-test track remains, and all ERTs must certify or re-certify their credentials though ASE to remain in the Program.
NJGCA has recently offered an ASE-prep class to help you get ready for the A6, A8, and L1. In doing so, students were welcome to participate in a ten-session preparatory class that covered material for all three ASE exams. We also had a handful of students who joined us only for the A8 or L1 sections.
Once completed, students took their ASE exams with a local ASE-approved test proctor (NJGCA can train you to prepare for the ASE exams, but are not permitted to offer the actual exam - students must make these arrangements individually themselves).
Building on that success, we are now seeking student participation in our next training series session. To make arrangements and organize a session, we need to hear from you!
Consumers are continuing to pull back on spending amid inflated prices and economic uncertainty, according to research from Morning Consult. Although incomes and savings rates are showing signs of recovery, expenses and credit card balances are higher than last year. Morning Consult found that real spending was down 1.3% in April, continuing a three-month downward trend. Consumers are spending less on services, durable goods and nondurable goods.
Americans who fill up their cars this Memorial Day weekend will catch a break — at least compared with a year ago, when gasoline prices were soaring. The national average price for regular gasoline is a full dollar a gallon lower than a year ago. Drivers paid over $4.60 in May 2022, and prices had reached $5 by the second week of June. This week, they paid just over $3.50 a gallon for regular gasoline, according to AAA, the motor club. Many energy experts said they expected prices to stay around these levels for much of the summer, barring a major disruption to global oil supplies. Because gasoline prices are posted on street corners on big colorful signs, they can have a powerful psychological impact on consumers, especially on middle- and lower-income people who tend to drive older, less fuel-efficient vehicles and spend a larger proportion of their income on energy than affluent people.
Adding sudden drama to negotiations over a state budget due in weeks, Gov. Phil Murphy voiced opposition Thursday to a new tax cut plan for New Jersey seniors being pushed by a top state lawmaker and fellow Democrat. Murphy cited concerns over the proposal’s cost and its broad eligibility, while two senior administration officials told NJ Advance Media the governor would veto the “irresponsible” bill if the Democratic-controlled state Legislature sends it to his desk as is. They said he’s even preparing for the possibility of a state government shutdown if there is a standoff.
New car sales are expected to be significantly higher year over year, according to Cox Automotive. The annual new-vehicle sales pace in May is expected to finish near 14.9 million, up 2.3 million from last May’s 12.6 million pace but down from April’s 15.9 million level. May sales volume is expected to rise 20.3% from one year ago and reach 1.35 million units. Sales volume will fall 1.1% from April, which had one additional selling day. Sales are being impacted by affordability issues, fueled by high interest rates and elevated new-vehicle prices. Typical monthly payments for new-vehicle loans are well above $700 in today’s market.
A South Carolina gas station owner accused of chasing a 14-year-old boy from his store and fatally shooting him in the back made his first court appearance Tuesday on a murder charge in the death. Rick Chow thought the boy had shoplifted four bottles of water Sunday night from his Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia, authorities said. But Cyrus Carmack-Belton put the bottles back in the cooler and was off the store’s property and running away when he was killed, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. . . Chow, who had a concealed weapons permit, was charged after an autopsy showed the middle school student was shot in the back and deputies spoke to witnesses and reviewed surveillance and other video, Lott said. Self-defense law in South Carolina requires the shooter doesn’t instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger and has no way to avoid that danger.
Fifty-nine percent of consumers have a high level of concern regarding the economy, according to Numerator’s monthly consumer sentiment study. The reading is slightly down from April. Inflation slid slightly in April to 4.9% year over year. April’s consumer price index reading was down over March’s 5% reading, and although inflation has fallen 10 straight months, it remains historically high.
Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.
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