Student Auto Skills Competition - June 17th "Be There Or Be Square"
A good mechanic could be hard to find today, and the automobile industry is looking to change that by encouraging some of the most talented and technically-skilled auto techs to join the field. On June 17th in the nation's Capital, the winner of the 2002 Ford/AAA Auto Skills Competition -- an annual program that discovers the best of the best in auto technicians around the country -- will be crowned after he or she and his/her partner beat the two-person teams from each state. There is a nationwide shortage of auto technicians, 60,000 in fact. The nationwide contest this summer aims to garner more interest in the field of auto technicians, especially as almost three million (2,900,000) high students graduate this year, and many of them seek vocational jobs. Ford and AAA partner every year to provide a fun and challenging competition to high school students with above-average auto technician skills. The finalists are competing in Washington, D.C. on Monday, June 17th to vie for the top spot in auto technician talent. The teams who physically "de-bug" a car in the fastest time with the least demerits - wins! Prizes consist of scholarships to automotive and technical schools, savings bonds and trophies. SAVE THE DATE! Monday, June 17, 2002 Student Auto Skills Competition - National Finals 2002 The Most Driven Young Auto Techs Compete in Washington The Best of the Best Among Young Auto Techs Vie for Scholarships to the Tune of 10 Million Dollars WHAT:The 2002 Ford/AAA Auto Skills National Finals Two-person teams of high school auto technicians from each state and the District of Columbia will come to Washington, D.C., to compete for the number one spot in the annual auto technology skills contest. The students will race against the clock and each other in a timed race to find the "bug" inside a Ford vehicle. Winners will receive millions of dollars in scholarships and prizes, including the Ford Quality Care Trophy and the AAA Quality Automotive Teacher Award. WHEN:Monday, June 17, 2002 at 9 A.M. 9:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Competition 11 a.m. Awards Presentation & Media Briefings WHERE:The competition will take place in Washington, D.C., at Independence Avenue and Ohio Drive, N.W. (South of the Lincoln Memorial) WHY:There is an estimated shortage of 60,000 trained service and repair technicians. Also, more than 80 percent of today's automobile systems are computer controlled, so the profession requires a highly skilled, highly paid auto technician that can work on complex motor vehicles. Through this annual competition, Ford Motor Company and AAA continue to show their commitment to encouraging young high school students to enter the automobile technician profession. The Auto Skills competition is improving the quality of automotive service by recognizing and rewarding the nation's best student automotive technicians.
