XPEL and Will Castro Bring Back ‘Unique Academy USA’ for Season 2, Expanding Automotive Career Training for Young People
XPEL, Inc., a leading provider of protective films and coatings for vehicles and other surfaces, is once again teaming up with renowned automotive customizer and television personality Will Castro to expand opportunities for young people interested in careers in the automotive aftermarket industry. The company and Castro have announced the return of Unique Academy USA for its second season, with the new season set to premiere on Roku on August 18, 2026, followed by a launch on Tubi on August 20.
The second season builds on the foundation established during the program’s first season and introduces a new group of students to the technical, creative and entrepreneurial sides of the automotive industry. This year, 15 students between the ages of 13 and 22 will participate in hands-on training aimed at helping them develop practical skills that can translate into real employment opportunities and long-term careers.
Unlike traditional classroom-based career programs, Unique Academy USA combines technical education with direct exposure to professional automotive work. Students learn specialized aftermarket techniques while also receiving guidance in leadership, business development and entrepreneurship. The program is provided at no cost to participating students, helping remove financial barriers that can prevent young people from gaining access to career-focused training.
A Program Built Around Automotive Skills and Opportunity
Unique Academy USA was founded by Will Castro, a well-known figure in the automotive customization world. Castro has built his reputation through his work with Team Unique and the television series Unique Rides, as well as through his high-profile custom vehicle projects for celebrities and professional athletes.
Over the years, Castro has worked on vehicles associated with prominent names including LeBron James, DJ Khaled, LL Cool J, Billy Joel and Carmelo Anthony. His experience in automotive customization has given him a platform to introduce young people to a side of the industry that extends far beyond traditional mechanical repair.
Through Unique Academy USA, Castro aims to show students that the automotive aftermarket offers a wide range of professional opportunities. Automotive careers can involve vehicle customization, paint protection, window film installation, ceramic coatings, detailing, entrepreneurship, sales, management and other specialized services.
The program’s emphasis is therefore not simply on teaching students how to work on vehicles. It is designed to demonstrate how technical skills can become the foundation for a sustainable career or even a successful business.
Season 2 Welcomes 15 New Students
The upcoming season will feature 15 new participants ranging in age from 13 to 22. These students will receive hands-on instruction and the opportunity to work with professional-grade automotive products and equipment.
Among the core areas of training are automotive window film installation, paint protection film application and ceramic coating techniques. These services have become increasingly important in the modern automotive aftermarket as vehicle owners look for ways to protect their cars while also improving their appearance.
Students will be introduced to the techniques used by professionals and will have opportunities to develop precision, patience and attention to detail. Such skills are particularly important in automotive customization, where the quality of an installation can significantly affect the final appearance and performance of a vehicle.
The curriculum also extends beyond technical work. Business development and leadership training are important components of the academy, giving participants an understanding of what it takes to build a career rather than simply perform a specific task.
For students interested in entrepreneurship, these lessons can be especially valuable. A skilled technician who understands customer service, marketing, financial management and business development can potentially turn a technical skill into an independent business.
XPEL Continues as Title Sponsor
XPEL is returning as the title sponsor of Unique Academy USA, providing financial support as well as technical resources for the program.
The company’s involvement gives students access to industry-grade materials, including window film, paint protection film and ceramic coating products. XPEL also contributes expert instructors and industry knowledge, allowing students to learn techniques directly from professionals working in the automotive protection and aftermarket sectors.
This hands-on approach is a key element of the program. Rather than learning exclusively from textbooks or demonstrations, participants can work with the same types of products and processes they may encounter in professional automotive shops.
For XPEL, the partnership also represents an opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation of automotive professionals. By introducing younger audiences to specialized aftermarket skills, the company is helping promote awareness of career paths within an industry that continues to evolve.
Addressing the Automotive Technician Shortage
The return of Unique Academy USA comes at a time when the automotive industry is facing a significant shortage of skilled technicians.
According to figures cited by the program from the TechForce Foundation, the United States could require approximately 1.2 million new automotive, collision and diesel technicians by 2029. However, existing training pipelines are expected to produce only a portion of the workers needed to meet that demand.
Other industry reports have also highlighted the number of unfilled technician positions across the country. This shortage affects repair shops, dealerships, collision centers, aftermarket businesses and other organizations that depend on trained professionals.
The challenge is not necessarily a lack of young people capable of learning these skills. Instead, industry leaders increasingly point to a lack of awareness about the opportunities available in automotive trades.
Many young people may not realize that the automotive industry offers career options beyond traditional vehicle repair. Modern automotive businesses require specialists in areas such as vehicle protection, customization, electronics, diagnostics, detailing, advanced driver-assistance systems and other technologies.
Castro believes that changing perceptions about trade careers is an important part of addressing the workforce shortage.
Changing Perceptions About Trade Careers
For Castro, Unique Academy USA is about more than teaching automotive techniques. It is also about challenging outdated ideas surrounding skilled trades.
The automotive aftermarket has evolved significantly over the past several decades. Today, specialized technicians can work with advanced materials, sophisticated tools and premium vehicles while building careers that combine technical expertise with creativity.
Castro wants young people to recognize that skilled trades can provide meaningful and financially rewarding career opportunities.
The program also emphasizes confidence and personal development. Students are encouraged to understand that their technical abilities can provide a foundation for independence and entrepreneurship.
This message is particularly important for younger participants who may be uncertain about their future career paths. Exposure to professional environments can help them understand what different jobs involve and identify areas that match their interests and strengths.
Lessons From Season 1
The second season follows the successful launch of the program’s first season in July 2025. Season 1 consisted of six 30-minute episodes filmed at Castro’s New York City-based shop.
The inaugural season brought students into an environment where they could interact with automotive professionals and receive mentorship from recognizable figures from the entertainment, sports and automotive worlds.
Guests and mentors included former NFL player Victor Cruz, television personality Adrienne Bailon Houghton and rapper Tony Yayo. The second season is expected to continue the program’s use of celebrity and industry guests to provide students with additional perspectives.
However, perhaps the most important evidence of the program’s impact comes from what participants have done after completing their training.
One example is Season 1 graduate Eddie Chavez, who went on to establish Team Unique Mobile Services. His business focuses on window tinting services for vehicles, homes and commercial properties.
Chavez’s experience demonstrates how the academy’s emphasis on both technical training and entrepreneurship can translate into real-world opportunities. Rather than simply gaining a new skill, graduates can use that knowledge as the starting point for developing their own businesses.
Combining Technical Education With Entrepreneurship
One of the distinguishing features of Unique Academy USA is its focus on entrepreneurship.
Technical proficiency is essential in the automotive aftermarket, but running a successful business requires a broader set of capabilities. Entrepreneurs must understand customers, pricing, marketing, operations, communication and financial planning.
By introducing these concepts alongside technical training, the academy seeks to give students a more complete understanding of what it takes to build a career.
This approach may also help participants see entrepreneurship as a realistic possibility. A young person who learns window tinting, paint protection film installation or ceramic coating could eventually work for an established company, become an independent contractor or establish a specialized mobile service business.
The possibilities demonstrate the flexibility of automotive aftermarket careers.
XPEL Sees Long-Term Value in the Initiative
Chris Hardy, Vice President of North America at XPEL, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting young people entering the automotive profession.
According to Hardy, the program provides students with practical skills and greater confidence while helping strengthen the broader automotive community.
XPEL’s participation reflects the company’s interest in developing the future workforce for the automotive protection and aftermarket sectors. As demand for vehicle protection products and professional installation continues, having properly trained technicians becomes increasingly important.
The partnership also creates a direct connection between education and industry. Students are introduced to professional standards and products while still at an early stage in their careers.
A New Generation of Automotive Professionals
The second season of Unique Academy USA represents another step in Castro’s effort to make automotive careers more accessible to young people.
By combining hands-on technical training, mentorship, leadership development and entrepreneurship education, the program provides participants with more than a basic introduction to automotive customization. It offers a potential pathway toward employment, professional development and business ownership.
The initiative also highlights the changing nature of the automotive aftermarket. Today’s industry encompasses far more than mechanical repair. Vehicle appearance, protection, customization and specialized services have created new opportunities for skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
For students who may not see themselves following a traditional four-year college path, programs such as Unique Academy USA can provide an alternative route into a professional career.
Season 2 Set for Roku and Tubi
Season 2 of Unique Academy USA will consist of six 30-minute episodes. The new season premieres on Roku on August 18, 2026, giving viewers an opportunity to follow the experiences of the 15 new students as they develop their automotive and business skills.
The series will then become available on Tubi beginning August 20, expanding the program’s audience and allowing more viewers to see the training and mentorship taking place inside the academy.
With XPEL continuing its role as title sponsor and Castro returning as the program’s founder and mentor, the second season aims to build on the momentum of the first.
Ultimately, Unique Academy USA is positioning automotive education as a pathway to opportunity. By giving young people access to professional tools, experienced mentors and practical training, the program seeks to help address the industry’s technician shortage while encouraging students to view skilled automotive careers as legitimate and rewarding professional choices.
For Castro and XPEL, the goal extends beyond creating a television series. It is about helping young people discover skills, confidence and career possibilities that could shape their futures—and potentially helping create the next generation of automotive technicians, customizers and entrepreneurs.
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