Kentucky Vocational School Students Invited to Learn About Automotive Recycling as a Career Choice

Automotive Recyclers Association Stepping Up to Help Classroom Students

MANASSAS, Va., Oct. 9 -- What better way to learn about a viable automotive career choice then to be among and talk to hundreds of professionals doing the job on a daily basis. That is exactly the opportunity that the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), host of the ARA 66th Annual Convention & Exhibition being held this week at the Lexington Center on October 7-10 in Lexington, Kentucky, is offering area vocational school students studying automotive mechanics. "We feel that it is important to expose students to our industry because it is the first, and longest standing, 'green' job in the world," says Michael E. Wilson, Executive Vice President of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA). "This industry has a long history and a bright future, and offers those interested in automotive mechanics a rewarding career alternative that students might not be aware."

"To provide the best overall picture of the automotive recycling industry to students, we have two special programs that they can participate in, free of charge," says Wilson. "These programs will provide access to the industry from inside successful businesses and through vendors that service the industry."

On Saturday, October 10, at 8 a.m., vocational students studying automotive mechanics are invited to attend ARA's seminar "Young Guns - Moving Up," presented by three young automotive recycling business owners who will share their energy, excitement, and knowledge about the industry. They will discuss their business priorities and philosophies, customer service, the importance of technology, how they develop their business, and more. They will be available to answer questions.

Following the seminar, the students may attend the ARA Exposition from 10 a.m. to Noon and also a meeting of the Kentucky Auto and Truck Recyclers Association. "We have personally extended the invitation to a number of schools in the area over recent weeks and look forward to the students spending time with us as an industry', stated Wilson.

The ARA Exposition offers the opportunity to see over 75 vendors that supply the automotive recycling industry with products and services, and also learn more about the automotive recycling industry. Over 1,000 automotive recycling attendees are expected at this year's annual event. The meeting serves to promote the advancement of this environmentally driven and consumer friendly industry.

Automotive Recycling, the world's first "green job" industry, offers plenty of employment possibilities and opportunities for those with the required automotive and mechanical skills. In addition to offering a rewarding automotive career in an industry that has grown and thrived throughout the years, it is an industry dedicated to helping the environment. Automotive recycling saves valuable global resources and energy that is required in the production of a replacement new part. The American automotive recycling industry saves an average of 85 billion barrels of oil per year -- over 233,000 barrels per day. Overall, it is a $25 billion industry that ranks 16th in the United States.

Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association ("ARA") represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of "green" automotive parts, and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR) and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a "greener" tomorrow.

To learn more about the Association, visit ARA online at www.a-r-a.org or call (571) 208-0428.