When it comes to mapping out the road ahead while leaving a lasting legacy in Manitoba for its staff and future employees, Birchwood is a driving force.

Manitoba’s largest auto group is once again generously supporting RRC Polytech automotive students through the Birchwood Automotive endowment fund while simultaneously recognizing some of its dedicated, long-serving staff.

“We wanted to give with a purpose and create a lasting legacy for our team members while giving back to our community,” says MaryAnn Kempe, Birchwood’s chief human resources officer. “We’re excited for the graduates, their futures, and our entire industry, it’s an exciting time to be part of the automotive sector.”

In 2016, Birchwood Automotive started the endowment fund at RRC Polytech with a $30,000 donation, with future contributions dedicated to retiring long-serving team members.

Recently, Birchwood contributed $10,000 to recognize the retirement of long-time parts manager Jess Bowyer. More than 45 years ago, Bowyer began his automotive career as a parts consultant and then later promoted to parts manager and served in this role at several dealerships, most recently at Birchwood Infiniti Nissan.

“Jess spent many years serving Birchwood customers with dedication; he exemplifies our principles and values by his professionalism, commitment to his team and customers, and service to our community,” says Kempe.

Above all, Kempe says, Bowyer’s tenure at Birchwood will be best remembered for the way he helped new hires learn the ropes.

“His legacy was his ability and willingness to mentor and teach new people,” Kempe says, noting Bowyer likely trained “hundreds” of new service and parts team members over the course of his lengthy career.

The endowment fund is available to students graduating from the Automotive Technician Certificate program. To qualify, students must show satisfactory academic achievement and leadership qualities.

Since it was established, the Birchwood Automotive endowment fund has helped pave the way for 10 RRC Polytech Automotive Technician Certificate students as they continue the road with further training, which can include an additional one-year RRC Polytech diploma program and several years of apprenticeship.

The endowment fund is one of many ways that Birchwood has provided support to the RRC Polytech community. A long-time partner of the Automotive Technician programs, Birchwood accepts students on work experience placements, provides dealership tours, and participates in both classroom visits and recruitment sessions.

A supporter of the Manitoba Skills Competition since its inception, Birchwood generously supplies new vehicles for the annual April event, hosted at RRC Polytech, and every year, the company sends several team members to help judge the competition.

“We really appreciate the relationship with RRC Polytech and what the College offers for Manitoba,” Kempe says.

This strong partnership is “a two-way street,” says RRC Polytech Transportation Program Coordinator Dustin Blackwell, noting Birchwood is a major supporter of the College’s automotive programs.

“We connect our industry partners like Birchwood with students who’ve had hands-on, practical training in our workshop, and they provide the opportunity for our students to gain industry work experience, apprenticeships and ultimately, quality jobs,” says Blackwell.

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