FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Megan Fitzgerald
September 12, 2003 (703) 683-9312; mfitzgerald@acteonline.org
ALEXANDRIA, VA ? The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that the Arizona Automobile Dealer?s Association (AADA) will be recognized as the recipients of ACTE?s Award of Merit. The award will be presented at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, December 11-14, in Orlando, Florida.
The award recognizes individuals or organizations outside the field of career and technical education for the highest meritorious contributions to the improvement, promotion, development and progress of career and technical education. Individuals or organizations considered for the Award of Merit must have demonstrated a concern for career and technical education through sponsored programs, publications, financial support and other activities.
AADA is an advocate of career and technical education within the automotive industry in the state of Arizona. Responsible for 229 dealerships across the state, AADA promotes school to career partnerships between Arizona high schools and the automotive dealerships.
In 1999, AADA became affiliated with the Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) and began work to ensure Arizona?s high schools offer quality automotive training programs. With the aid of AYES, AADA has helped schools develop their automotive programs from an easy to take class, to a competency-based course of study that will provide their students with the necessary skills for advanced academic study and dealership employment.
AADA?s assistance has helped make NATEF and AYES certification possible for several schools. In addition, the association has presented Arizona?s students with many opportunities, such as job shadowing, mentoring, paid summer internships and paid after school employment. For example, under the direction of AADA?s Arizona Director for AYES, Michael McAfee, the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) reorganized their advisory committee and encouraged 29 dealerships to participate with their automotive program. As a result, in 2000-2001, 12 EVIT students were placed in auto dealerships and in 2001-2002, 24 students were placed.
In addition to providing funding and the working materials necessary to administer the AYES process, AADA has distributed over $3.2 million to local and state charities.
An Arizona school district official comments, ?Because of AADA?s vision, leadership and hard work, our automotive programs are future oriented and will nurture dynamic competent workers for tomorrow and beyond.?
The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 77th year, ACTE?s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.
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September 12, 2003 NR#03-025
