NORWALK, CA -- June 18, 2007 -- Richard Aragon, Cerritos College auto technology instructor and coordinator for the campus' DaimlerChrysler College Automotive Program (CAP), recently accepted DaimlerChrysler's "Outstanding Achievement and Superior Outreach" award on behalf of the college. DaimlerChrysler presented the award during a conference June 5-7 at the DaimlerChrysler

Pictured from left to right are Michael Collins, national manager for Career and Technical Education, DaimlerChrysler Academy; Rick Ciesla, Global Technical Training, DaimlerChrysler Academy, School of Technical Training; Richard Aragon, Cerritos College instructor; Bob Craighead, supervisor, Los Angeles Training Center; and Ken Benson, area training manager, West and Denver.

Academy headquarters near Detroit in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

The award recognizes Cerritos College's establishment and management of the Automotive Career Institute (ACI), which has enrolled and trained automotive students from area high schools through the Southeast Regional Occupation Program since 2005.

"We appreciate everything that Cerritos College does to help our dealers develop their next generation of employees," said Michael Collins, national manager for Career and Technical Education at DaimlerChrysler Academy, as he presented the award.

Cerritos College's ACI program allows students at Cerritos College to gain experience servicing Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles through DaimlerChrysler's College Automotive Program (CAP). During the two-year program, students take part in classroom learning and gain hands-on internship experience at local dealerships--something that has become increasingly necessary as automobiles become more complex each year. Training for auto technicians now encompasses not only the technical skills needed to repair vehicles, but also computer knowledge and math and engineering skills. Students who receive training from DaimlerChrysler's CAP program are well-poised to fill the many waiting positions in a wide-open career field, as there are currently not enough skilled auto technicians to meet demand.

"ACI provides an opportunity for high school students to be on a college and campus and to get exposure to the auto technology corporate programs, such as the DaimlerChrysler program," explained Aragon.

Cerritos College also offers specialized corporate training for General Motors, Ford and import vehicles.

Aragon has taught in the Cerritos College Automotive Technology Program since 1994. He recently completed his master's degree in industrial and technical studies at California State University, Los Angeles.

"Cerritos College's automotive program has made enormous strides in recent years in attracting both students and community partners, such as the Southeast ROP and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association," said Eli Jaramillo, director of the Advanced Transportation Technology and Energy Initiative for the Southland/Cerritos Center for Transportation Technology (SCCTT) at Cerritos College.

"We are proud to accept this prestigious award, and we look forward to continuing our training efforts with DaimlerChrysler."

Cerritos College has offered an automotive training technology program since the college began in 1955. The offerings consist of certificates, degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technology, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and hybrids, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the U.S. Students can also earn a bachelor's degree in automotive management at Cerritos College through an agreement the college has with Northwood University. Cerritos College is currently working toward a new facility, the Southland/Cerritos Center for Transportation Technology (SCCTT), a world-class automotive training center on the college's campus that will help provide a unique career ladder for automotive students and dealer employees from across the Southern California region.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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