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  Skills

 
  September 15, 2009
  2010 Instructor application
  process

  Hertz provides Ford vehicles
  for all of our state and national
  competitions. The Ford/AAA
  Auto Skills program is grateful
  for their generous support.

  View an exciting video about
  savings available to AAA
  members and visit
  AAA.com/hertz for more
  exclusive savings and
  reservations.

  
  Platinum:

• AAA Approved Auto Repair
• NAPA Auto Parts
• Rotunda Tools
• SPX Service Solutions
• Snap-on Tools
• The Hertz Corporation
• Universal Technical Institute

  Gold Sponsors:

• American Service Excellance
• Babcox Publications-Tomorrow's Technician
• CDX Global
• DeWALT
• Fluke Corporation
• Lincoln Technical College
• Motor Magazine
• USPS
• WyoTech

  Silver Sponsors:

• Cintas
• Club Assist
• Firestone Complete Auto Care
• Mitchell 1

  Bronze Sponsors:

• Automotive Training
  Center

Student Auto Skills Update

Congratulations to the winners of the 2009 Ford/AAA Auto Skills National Finals! The Minnesota team, Justin Dwyer and Matthew Ludwig, led by their instructor, Mark Lessman, proved that it can be done with their “perfect car” on competition day June 16.

This year is a historic year for the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills program. It marks the 15th year of our partnership with Ford co–sponsoring the program. It also marks the 60th anniversary of the program’s first competition.

In 2009, we have recorded some significant accomplishments for the program. We had 1,000 instructors register 11,296 students, a 39 percent increase over 2008. Additionally, more than 9,700 students competed for $10.7 million in scholarships, a 30 percent increase in scholarship funding over 2008.

We are grateful for your support and the important role you play in guiding your students to the possibility of an exciting future in an automotive career. I hope you and your students have enjoyed participating in this year's competition and we look forward to your return in 2010.

For up–to–date program information, visit our Web site at AutoSkills.com. Find us on Auto Skills Facebook fan page and discover more about the program. If you have ideas or concerns about the Student Auto Skills program, please let us know by contacting John Morse, manager, Student Auto Skills, (407) 444-7762.

Jack Coleman, Director
AAA Automotive and Driver Programs

Minnesota Team Takes Auto Skills Crown
Makes Live Appearance on Fox News

Crossing the finish line with their fully repaired 2009 Ford Escape, two high school graduate automotive technicians from Minnesota win the top prize, click here...

Job Shadow Prize Awaits Student Auto Skills Winners
DeWALT Sponsors Dream Learning Experience

Read more about the scholarships, valuable prizes, and job shadow opportunity that awaits the Minnesota team, click here...

Many Thanks to Our State Managers and Hosts
We Couldn’t Have Done it Without You!

Many people are involved in preparing for and conducting each state’s hands–on competition including competition managers and hosts. Read more about these generous volunteers, click here...

New Vehicles for National Winning Schools
Award is New Ford or Lincoln Mercury

Learn more about the new vehicles the top 15 national winning schools were awarded at the national competition, click here...

Communication Skills for Future Technicians
Customer Follow–up is a Must

In our Fall 2008 Auto Skills Update e–newsletter, we shared the importance of communication skills for future technicians. Customer follow–up is one of the critical elements of communication skills that is important to be a successful technician. To learn more, click here...

Teaching Tips

Teaching Techniques Have you ever taught a class using materials that were less than exciting? When this happens, it is the instructors’ responsibility to inject passion and excitement into the subject matter, read more..

2008 Automotive Instructor Survey Results
We Asked --- You Provided Feedback

In the Fall 2008 Auto Skills Update, AAA conducted an automotive instructor survey. The goal was to obtain feedback on how the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills program fits with what schools are trying to accomplish. To learn key findings of the survey, read more...

Glad You Asked

Q. What are AAA Approved Auto Repair Shops doing to “go green”?

A. Every AAA Approved Auto Repair (AAR) facility is required to comply with federal, state and local statutes pertaining to pollution prevention and environmental protection. To help them meet this obligation, AAA has partnered with the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR–GreenLink) to make available discounted compliance training and materials. In addition, AAR shops are encouraged to go above and beyond the legal minimums when it comes to protecting the environment. Many AAR shops are already certified under state and local “green shop” programs, and several AAA clubs are actively involved in the creation and administration of those programs. AAA is also developing its own set of “green shop” guidelines and initiatives that auto repair facilities can implement to become more environmentally responsible. Ultimately, AAA believes that good environmental stewardship is good business practice as well. For example, when a repair shop conserves water and energy, they not only contribute to the overall good of the environment, they save money as well.

Auto repair facilities implementing “green” initiatives should consider these basic strategies:

• Cleaning and degreasing — low–hazard, low–pollution water–based cleaning equipment
• Waste fluids — recycle and reuse fluids onsite whenever possible
• Energy conservation — install high efficiency lighting and use timers to shut down lights and equipment during off hours
• Waste reduction — install low–flow water fixtures and limit landscaping watering times
• Waste reduction — lessen paper use and buy recycled products whenever possible

In addition to implementing “green” initiatives in the automotive repair industry,
AAA Approved Auto Repair shops provide outstanding employment opportunities for quality technicians. For additional information on the Approved Auto Repair program, check out the “Business Opportunities” section on the Automotive page of AAA.biz, or contact Michael Calkins, manager, Approved Auto Repair, (407) 444-8337.