Briefs: Novel recruiting efforts explored

PEORIA -- Caterpillar Inc. and its dealers are working with David Powers Motorsports and the National Hot Rod Association to sponsor a dragster in the popular motorsport circuit during the 2008 season. The partnership represents an innovative approach to recruiting service technicians for Cat dealers in the U.S. and Canada. The proposed agreement follows a successful technician recruiting pilot program already under way with Caterpillar. A shortage of qualified service technicians prompted the program. Caterpillar and its dealers found the NHRA drag racing offers a rich recruiting environment of highly skilled candidates with mechanical backgrounds.

Booster seats given away at Mitsubishi

ELGIN -- In an effort to promote automotive child safety and to help families in need, Biggers Mitsubishi and Schaumburg Mitsubishi recently gave away 1,600 car booster seats in conjunction with Kids Safety First and several other local organizations. Although hundreds of families were in attendance at the events, only a little more than half of the booster seats were distributed.