Wisconsin Automotive & Truck Education Association

Driving the Training That Keeps You Running!

Visit Group

About Us

The Wisconsin Automotive & Truck Education Association brings likeminded transportation businesses, educational institutions, community organizations, and individuals together to create innovative solutions for increasing workforce opportunities in the transportation industry.

WATEA Info Flier 2023 WATEA Annual Report

Our Mission

To improve awareness of career paths and opportunities in the automotive/truck industry; and to promote technical and continuing training, educational development, and certification for workers in the automotive and truck industry.

Our History

In the late 1990’s, a small group of business and educational leaders joined forces to save the Automotive Technician training program at a local technical college. Through this experience, the group discovered the power of their combined influence and, in 2000, the Wisconsin Automotive & Truck Education Association was formed. Since that time, businesses and organizations who might be competitors elsewhere have collaborated to achieve their shared goals of increasing transportation industry training opportunities.

In 2011, WATEA launched the Wheels to Work program to provide reliable vehicles to low-income employees. In 2019, Commute2Careers was created to give shuttle rides to new employees lacking transportation to work.

2022 Small Business of the Year (Charitable Non-Profit)

WATEA was honored to be recognized by the Greater Wausau Chamber of Commerce as the region's 2022 Small Business of the Year in the Charitable Non-Profit category.


Annual Events & Activities