Husky Liners Supports SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program With Its Quality Product
Husky Liners is a proud sponsor of the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program. Donating free product to five lucky school auto shops, Husky Liners helped these students in their quest to overhaul SEMA-donated TJ Wranglers for an auction this past summer. Keep an eye out for the vehicles at this year’s SEMA Show!
As the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket in this country, you’d think trade schools would see a jump in enrollment. Yet, even with lower tuition prices, hands-on learning, and guaranteed job placement, the trades—and particularly the automotive sector—continue to face a growing shortage of qualified students and skilled workers.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics says that the demand for automotive service professions is expected to grow an of average six percent over the next 10 years, adding approximately 46,000 new jobs to the pool. However, experts predict that after adjusting for employee turnover, the transportation industry will need an average of 76,000 new techs each year to fill the gaps.
That’s a big, fat, alarming disparity. Regardless who’s to blame, there ARE viable solutions to narrowing the gap. And a big one of those is #ShiftingTheMyth around trade jobs.
What is the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program?
Many trade schools, industry organizations, suppliers, and celebrity customizers are working hard to show students the bright future that awaits them in the automotive field—through exciting opportunities like the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program. Engaging students in auto customization, as well as opening career doors in the aftermarket, this SEMA program recruits high school auto-shop classes in a fun and educational customization challenge. This year, five lucky schools were chosen by the industry organization, each tasked with upgrading a TJ Wrangler by “developing a cohesive plan, creating and following a build schedule and working as a team to take a vehicle from stock to fully customized,” explains SEMA.
Such real-world experience is vital to getting kids excited about their own future prospects, encouraging them—and especially their parents and school advisors—to see the rewarding opportunities a career in the automotive sector can provide. “The industry has really supported this project,” said Zane Clark, SEMA Senior Director of Education. “Their generosity has elevated the build beyond our expectations and created a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for the students.”
This year, the high schoolers completed five fully-customized 97-05 Jeep Wrangler TJs as part of the SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program, with the finished products going up for auction in a “SEMA Week of Customs” event. The builds sold for a total of $127,000! Proceeds are reinvested back into the program to support the next round of builds, essentially paying it forward for the next batch of creative students.
Husky Liners Jumps On Board
While SEMA funds the program, it wouldn’t be successful without the participation of aftermarket suppliers. Making these builds so desirable on the auction block was the more than 200 donated products from industry sponsors, including suspension components, wheels & tires, painting supplies, and interior accessories—like floor and cargo liners from Husky Liners. After all, no true off-roader is complete without some equipment to keep all that dirt, dust, mud, and debris from eating up your floor pans.
“We are proud to be a 2019 SEMA Education build sponsor, a program that aims to engage more young people in the automotive aftermarket through real-world, hands-on accessorizing and customization.” -Husky Liners
While 90 schools from around the nation applied, only five were chosen to participate in this year’s program. C.D. Hylton High School, Comstock High School, R.L. Turner High School, Santa Fe ECO, and Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, all completed the semester-long build projects.
Santa Ynez tackled a 1997 TJ Wrangler, turning it into a one-of-a-kind off-roader with an American flag-themed bikini top. The students at C.D. Hylton performed an entire frame-off restoration of their ’02 Wrangler—even painting the chassis. And the kids over at Santa Fe ECO added a unique vented hood to their ’05 Unlimited Sport, as well as trail doors and a full-body repaint.
Look closely on all these builds and you’ll find some Husky Liners Classic Style Floor Liners.
Featuring a rugged diamond-plate look and laser-scanned FormFitTM design, Husky Classic Liners are the company’s OG floor protection. Sporting raised edges to keep mud, snow, and water on the mat, they’re an ideal choice for vehicles that see dirty off-road adventures as well as slushy street driving. StayPutTM cleats keep the liners from shifting around and a sturdy elastomeric construction ensure you can spill just about anything on them without fear of it seeping through to the floor pans. All Husky Liners products are proudly made in the USA and come backed by a no-hassle lifetime warranty.
Seeing a company dedicated to American manufacturing is reassuring in a world dominated by outsourcing. Seeing a company bolstering American craftsmanship through student-oriented programs is encouraging.
Bigger & Better
Judging from the impressive amount of funds these vehicles raised at auction, it’s safe to say the 2019 SEMA High School Vehicle Build Program was a smashing success. In fact, organizers are already working to expand the event for next year. “We are thrilled by the results of the auctions and moved by how much the automotive community continues to support this program,” said Clark. “Thanks to this support we are now looking to expand the program to include 10 schools next year, giving more students throughout the country an opportunity to take part in a hands-on vehicle build experience.”
We can’t wait to see what these talented students create. (And we’re sure Husky Liners will be standing by with more quality and stylish accessories!)
Founded in 1988 in Winfield, Kansas, Husky Liners has been in the vehicle protection game for more than 30 years. And the company’s dedication to producing top-quality automotive aftermarket products specialized in protecting your truck both inside and out is apparent in everything it makes.
