Student Techs Square-Off in State Finals of Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest

    HOUSTON--April 20, 2001--The 30 best high school automotive technicians in Texas will square-off in the state finals of the 2001 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest.
    Teams of two high school seniors will attempt to diagnose and repair Ford vehicles that have been deliberately disabled. The winning team will represent Texas at the June 18th national finals in Washington, D.C.
    The Student Auto Skills contest encourages students to pursue rewarding career opportunities in automotive service. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there are approximately 60,000 job openings for technicians. Properly trained technicians can earn $35,000-$75,000 a year.
    State champions earn a spot in the Ford Motor Company's ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training) program, including scholarships to associate degree automotive technology programs.
    More than $116,000 worth of scholarships will be awarded at the state level to high school seniors.
    The Auto Skills competition kicks-off Saturday, April 21st, at Space Center Houston at nine in the morning.

    AAA Texas has been serving Texans since 1902. Today, AAA Texas offers its members a full service travel agency, auto-related and financial services, as well as public safety programs and legislative advocacy.