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Contact: Marilynn Fryer
(517) 796-8466
e-mail: FryerMarilynT@jccmi.edu
February 21st, 2007
For immediate release

SkillsUSA automotive competition welcomes career center students to JCC

Jackson Community College will welcome more than 80 high school students from Michigan for the SkillsUSA/VICA of Michigan Regional Competition on Thursday, February 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the JCC Automotive Service Technology Building.

Career centers from Allegan, Branch, Calhoun, Kent, Van Buren, Jackson and Lenawee counties and Comstock High School will send their best automotive students to compete in hands-on competition on vehicles and written certification style tests. These students will be putting their skills to the test in different areas of expertise from auto engine performance to diesel engine troubleshooting. The top three finishers in each category -- gold, silver, and bronze -- will earn medals and winners move on to the statewide competition. Current JCC auto students assist in the judging and help coordinate events throughout the day, along with instructors Dan Livingston, Chris Kaser and Les Coxon. This is JCC’s fourth year hosting the event.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving more than 280,000 high school and college students and professional members enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled and service occupations. It helps to prepare high performance worker and emphasizes total quality at work, high work skills, lifelong education, and pride in the dignity of work.

MAC Tools, Snap-On Tools, Independent Auto Parts of America, along with Performance Automotive Parts Stores has contributed to this event with goodie bags for each participant and tool prizes for the top three finishers in each category. Tim Stone, owner of Performance Automotive Parts Stores, former JCC automotive program graduate and member of the JCC Auto Advisory committee, is very supportive of students entering the auto repair industry. Toyota and Ford Field Service Engineers along with area shop auto owners and technicians support this event by judging the students performance.