Cerritos College Gives Auto Tech Students a Chance to Shine

Several area high schools got the chance to show of their automotive technology skills to potential employers last month during High School Auto Tech Competition at Cerritos College.

The college's Automotive Technology Department hosted the event Dec. 14, 2013. The Southland Motor Car Dealers Association and the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association sponsored the contest.

Organizers described the competition as a hands-on event that included 13 work stations and encompassed all eight ASE areas of automotive technology, including: engine repair, automatic transmission, manual transmission, steering and suspension, brakes, electrical/electronics, HVAC, and engine performance.

Fourteen high schools are participated including:

• Artesia
• California
• Montebello
• Narbonne
• Pioneer
• South East ROP
• Whittier
• Agoura
• Canyon
• Mark Keppel
• Palmdale
• Saugus
• Upland
• Van Nuys

Teams from Van Nuys High School and California high schools earned achance to compete in New York to compete at the National Auto Tech Competition at the New York Auto show on April 22 and 23.

Sponsors for the event included Mercedes-Benz USA, Longo Toyota, Subaru, LA CarGuy, Snap-On Tools, BMW, and Ford.

"It was great to have high school students along with their teachers and family members supporting them for this event. We were also fortunate to have 13 judges for the competition that included representatives from automotive manufacturers and also dealerships here in Southern California," said Cerritos College Automotive Instructor, Joe Mulleary through a written news release

"This provided an opportunity for networking between students and potential employers after the event was over. It was also a chance for us as instructors to make connections that may assist in enabling our students here at the college to gain employment in the automotive field."

Cerritos College Automotive Technology Program offers certificates, degrees and special programs in automotive repair, collision repair, alternative fuels, smog training, advanced transportation technology and automotive management, program officials said.

More information on the Cerritos College Automotive program can be found on their website http://cms.cerritos.edu/auto or by calling Jessica Coronado at (562) 860-2451 Ext. 2909.