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Press Release: ASCEF Automotive Scholarships for High School Seniors, College Students Now Available

 

SACRAMENTO – The Automotive Services Council Education Foundation (ASCEF) today announced that the application for their various automotive scholarships are now available online.

“For over a decade, ASCEF has awarded educational scholarships to current and aspiring automotive students to help lessen the financial burden on them and their families,” said ASCEF Executive Director Gloria Peterson. “We are proud that 15 years after our founding, we have grown to offer 15 different scholarships to the future leaders of the automotive repair industry.”

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Kate PeyserPress Release: ASCEF Automotive Scholarships for High School Seniors, College Students Now Available
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Press Release: ASCEF Launches Revamped Website

SACRAMENTO – The Automotive Services Council Education Foundation (ASCEF) today welcomed automotive professionals and students across the state to visit their newly launched website at www.ascef.org.

“After months of planning and designing, ASCEF is proud to launch its new website, which will provide a user-friendly experience to those looking to donate to the foundation or donate a vehicle to the Foundation’s Cars 4 Careers project, as well as automotive students looking for information about the various automotive scholarships we offer,” said ASCEF Executive Director Gloria Peterson.

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Kate PeyserPress Release: ASCEF Launches Revamped Website
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Press Release: ASCEF Creates New Memorial Scholarship Fund in Honor of Jeff Stich

SACRAMENTO – The Automotive Services Council Education Foundation (ASCEF) today announced the creation of a new memorial scholarship in honor of former Chapter 20 President Jeff Stich.

“Jeff Stich dedicated his entire life to the automotive industry and ASCCA until he sadly passed away at the Louie Vermeil Classic in Calistoga, California doing what he loved most—working as a pit crew member for Damion Gardner,” says ASCEF Executive Director Gloria Peterson. “With the creation of this scholarship, his legacy of passion and commitment to our industry will live on for years to come.”

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Kate PeyserPress Release: ASCEF Creates New Memorial Scholarship Fund in Honor of Jeff Stich
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Automotive Education News – January 19th, 2016

Students Earn Valuable Educational Experience Through NAIAS Education Day: A World of Opportunities

DETROIT, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) welcomes school groups of all ages to attend the most prominent auto show in North America and learn valuable lessons at its annual NAIAS Education Day (NED) on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Now in its twelfth year, NED is in partnership with PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from the PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE: PNC). Lesson plans and activities are customized based on the classes and students that are attending.

“Education Day allows students an up-close and personal opportunity to experience exciting vehicles and technologies that will shape the future of our industry, in a manner that is informative and educational,” said Paul Sabatini, 2016 NAIAS Chairman. “Our goal is to inspire these students to become involved in automotive and help steer this industry into the future.”

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Kate PeyserAutomotive Education News – January 19th, 2016
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Automotive Education News – January 7th, 2016

Career and Technical Education Helps Students Prepare for Global World: Report

NEW YORK, January 6, 2016 — Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a promising way to prepare U.S. students for the increasing number of careers requiring global competency, according to a new report by Asia Society entitled Preparing a Globally Competent Workforce through High-Quality Career and Technical Education.

CTE programs aim to ready students for careers and are responsive to industry needs. These programs encompass automotive technology, agriculture, and construction, but also extend to digital media, advanced manufacturing, global logistics, STEM and others.

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Kate PeyserAutomotive Education News – January 7th, 2016
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Automotive Education News – January 5th, 2016

Editorial: Hands-on instruction builds learning culture
High school courses plant seeds of educational opportunity

Students at Royal Valley High School north of Topeka are growing peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and other plants in a horticulture greenhouse program that illustrates the value of hands-on education.

The short-term outgrowth at Royal Valley, and more than 40 other Kansas high schools with similar plant system instructional programs, is a lovely salad from the garden. Long-term benefits to this form of applied instruction in gardening, construction, automotive repair, education, the arts and other fields are nourishing for the mind.

This experiential model delivers an engaging environment for learning outside typical classrooms.  The approach has been linked to higher attendance and grade-point averages, as well as better student and parent interaction with schools and teachers.

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Kate PeyserAutomotive Education News – January 5th, 2016
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Automotive Education News – December 28th, 2015

Joliet Central High School Auto Tech Students Revved Up for State-of-the-Art Equipment
Joliet Central High School Auto Tech students in the STEM Academy are gaining relevant hands-on industry automotive experience thanks to a new tire changer and balancing equipment located on-site in the school automotive shop. Manufactured by Hunter Engineering Co., a leader in under-car service equipment, these new machines represent the latest in cutting-edge technology and can be found in the vast majority of quality automotive repair shops.

“Tire changing and balancing is a basic skill of automotive maintenance,” said Auto Tech Instructor Milton George. “The new state-of-the-art equipment provides the auto students with the opportunity to gain real hands-on experience using tools they will come across in the work place. I feel that this is a great opportunity for the students to learn new concepts and skills on the very same equipment that they will be using should they choose to continue in the automotive field.”

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Kate PeyserAutomotive Education News – December 28th, 2015
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Why can’t I find a technician to work in my shop?

The Technician shortage is an issue never far from an auto repair shop owner’s mind.  Nothing can cripple your business faster than a lack of qualified technicians to work on vehicles. The technician shortage is consistent across the industry in all sectors and that is why we as an industry need to focus on being part of their training from day one. We as shop owners need to be involved as early as high school to educate students about the opportunities available in our industry.   Recently I visited a local high school that offers an automotive program. Walking into the classroom and work shop I was amazed at what the students had to work with.   The equipment was from the 70’s. Dirty, rusty engines and transmissions were scattered throughout the workshop.   No decent tools, not even a tool box and certainly no hi-tech scan tools. A generation who grew up playing Xbox games definitely would not be attracted to this environment.   I can’t blame the school, It doesn’t help that high school districts have whacked budgets for auto repair programs, a key source of recruits. Supporting the programs has become more expensive because of the test equipment now involved. As shop owners we need to look in our own back yards for the technicians to staff our bays. We have to get involved at the high school level and make sure auto shop courses are being offered. Get involved in the classroom and workshop and find ways to bring the shop and courses into this century.

Mary KemnitzWhy can’t I find a technician to work in my shop?
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