New Automotive Youth Program Addresses School-to-Work Initiative

Helps Meet Shortage of Qualified Auto Technicians

GRANADA HILLS, Calif., Sept. 19 -- The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) program at Granada Hills Charter High School in Granada Hills. An open house will take place Wednesday, September 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Auto Lab of the high school located at 10535 Zelzah St.

AYES is a school-to-work initiative in partnership with CMCDA and franchised new car dealers to address the availability of qualified service technicians, and encourage high school students to consider careers in retail automotive service, and prepare them for entry-level career positions or advanced studies in automotive technology.

"With AYES affiliation, Granada Hills Charter High School now joins with San Fernando Valley automotive franchise dealership partners to offer enhanced career technical education opportunities to students," said Steve Ford, AYES State Director for Southern California. "AYES offers real-world automotive internships, school lab training on new manufacturer-donated lab vehicles and access to the most advanced automotive curriculum available."

Nationally, dealers need to bring 35,000 automotive technicians into the industry every year. CMCDA's AYES program currently has 25 schools on its roster in California that join more than 390 AYES school programs nationally.

The AYES initiative aims to help address a growing shortage of well- trained automotive service professionals and strives to advance the public image of today's changing technician. "Today's cars require a new breed of automotive technician who are equipped to service computer-controlled air bags and anti-lock brakes, as readily as diagnosing and replacing a failed mechanical water pump," Ford said.

About CMCDA

The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) is a statewide trade association that represents the interests of more than 1,400 franchised new car dealer members. CMCDA members are primarily engaged in the retail sale and lease of new vehicles, and also engage in automotive service, repair and part sales. For more information, visit CMCDA's Web site: www.cmcda.org.

About AYES

Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) is a partnership among 14 participating automotive manufacturers, participating dealers across the nation, and selected high schools/tech prep schools. For more information, visit the AYES web site: www.ayes.org.