Press Release

GM Minority Dealers Support School-to-Work Program

09/17/96

GM Minority Dealers Say 'Yes' to GM's Newest School-To-Work Program



WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 -- General Motors Minority Dealer
Development (GMMDD) has joined forces with GM's Youth Educational
Systems (GMYES) to combat the growing challenge of finding qualified,
technical skilled minorities to work in GM dealerships. The official
kickoff will take place on Saturday, Sept. 14 at a bruncheon sponsored
by GMMDD at Howard University's Blackburn Center in Washington,
D.C. The event is a part of the Congressional Black Caucus which runs
Sept. 12-15.

"Finding qualified minorities to work in the technical service area of
GM dealerships has been next to impossible!" said Leon McDaniel,
general director of GMMDD. "We want to correct this situation by
tapping into urban community schools and finding youths interested in
more than just a job. We realized that combining our efforts with the
GMYES team will help us achieve our goal of diversifying GM
dealerships."

The GMYES school-to-work initiative not only addresses the need for
highly skilled technicians but also the increasing number of jobs
which require technical training. The program provides real world
solutions for students who are seeking well-paying, challenging
employment opportunities, but want a more productive, less expensive
way of reaching their goal.

GMYES is the result of a call to action by GM's Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President John F. (Jack) Smith Jr. In his
keynote address at the 1994 National Auto Dealers Association (NADA)
conference, Smith challenged the auto industry to address the need for
more highly skilled professionals in dealership environments.

GMYES is the newest entry into GM's technical service training
network. GMYES -- which exclusively involves high school and
vocational students -- works with 11th and 12th graders to help them
develop the necessary skills to excel in a GM dealership environment
through a three-way partnership among GM, participating GM dealers and
local high schools or vocational schools. To ensure students are
well-trained, GMYES embraces the school-to-work concept, coordinating
high school curriculums with on-the-job experience. This
school-to-work initiative gives dealers the necessary tools to
evaluate potential employees in the actual workplace prior to bringing
them on full-time.

"We're excited to have the support and valued input from GM's minority
dealer body," commented Clarence Arnold, manager of GMYES.

"GMYES is an entry point for a life-long career opportunity that will
provide good pay and promise for many minority students," he
continued. "At GMYES, we can more effectively reach minority students
in urban areas with the knowledge base available through GMMDD."

GM's minority dealers see great promise in GMYES because most GM
dealers are located in suburban areas, disadvantaging urban youth from
seeking job opportunities in GM dealerships.

According to McDaniel, "Diversification within our dealership
personnel offers a win/win/win scenario. The student wins by gaining
an exceptional opportunity to get additional skills training and have
an exciting career.  The dealer wins by gaining access to a well
trained, highly motivated employee and GM wins through having more
qualified technicians working on GM cars and trucks for greater
customer satisfaction."

The partnership between GMMDD and GMYES is a first of its kind and a
benchmark for future diversity efforts.

General Motors is the first automotive manufacturer to
initiate a national school-to-work program at the high school level
involving students, parents and dealers. This will grow into an
industry-wide effort in the near future.