Three-year commitment will help connect emerging talent with career opportunities in the classic and collector car industry
GREENWICH, Conn., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Piston Foundation has received a $1 million commitment over three years from the LuLuMa Foundation to launch Piston Jobs, a program connecting emerging technicians with classic and collector car businesses that can hire and develop them.
Building on five years of Piston’s scholarship program, Piston Jobs will help young enthusiasts take the next step from education to employment. The program will develop a nationwide network of employers and connect emerging talent with jobs, internships, career resources, and support.
LuLuMa Foundation supported Piston scholarships in 2025 and 2026 and was the foundation’s largest grant funder in both years. Its new commitment extends that support to help young people put their education and skills to work.
“LuLuMa has already helped our scholars pursue the education they need. This commitment helps us build the connections that come next,” said Jeff Mason, president of The Piston Foundation. “We’re grateful for their continued confidence in Piston and in the young people we serve. It’s an exciting milestone for everyone who has helped bring this work forward.”
Piston’s mission addresses three challenges young enthusiasts face as they pursue careers in the collector car industry: discovering career opportunities, accessing the education they need, and connecting with employers. Piston Jobs advances the employment component of that mission while building on the foundation’s relationships with scholars, alumni, schools, and industry partners.
“A young person’s interest in cars can become a skilled trade, a livelihood, and a lifelong career,” said Robert Minnick, CEO and founder of The Piston Foundation. “Our mission is to make that path accessible to more young people. By helping them move from interest to education to employment, we can expand opportunity and build a growing workforce for the collector car community.”
The initial launch will focus on Piston Scholars and alumni, with free candidate access. Participating employers will be assessed for their capacity to hire and mentor emerging talent. Employers will post opportunities, and interested candidates will connect with them directly.
“Our vision for Piston Jobs is to make the connection between emerging talent and employers easier to find and act on,” Mason said. “Young people are investing in the skills to build a career. Shops need people they can hire and develop. We’re bringing them together so that investment in education can lead to real opportunity.”
Employer research and surveys will also support new workforce intelligence, providing a clearer picture of hiring needs and career pathways across the collector car industry.
Classic and collector car businesses interested in hiring emerging talent can sign up for early access to Piston Jobs. Through a Piston Industry Partnership, brands can make career opportunities for young people part of their commitment to the collector car community—and help shape its future.
About The Piston Foundation
The Piston Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping young people across the United States turn a passion for cars into skilled careers in the collector car industry. These careers offer the opportunity to earn a living, take pride in a craft, and build an independent future. Through Piston Scholarships, the foundation helps young people access automotive technical education. Through Piston Jobs, it is developing connections to employers, job opportunities, and career support. Together with the car community, Piston is opening doors for the next generation of automotive craftspeople who will carry the industry and its heritage forward. Learn more at: https://pistonfoundation.org/
Media Contact
Jeff Mason
426678@email4pr.com
(475) 619-2395
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SOURCE The Piston Foundation
