Cerritos College News Release

Photo of high school students working on a car NORWALK, CA – January 30, 2008 – Cerritos College's Automotive Technology Department hosted a High School Auto Tech Competition on Saturday, January 24. This event was sponsored by the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA) and the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association (GLANCDA).

Teams from Agoura High School and California High School distinguished themselves from among 13 other area high school teams, each winning an opportunity to send two teammates to compete in the 2009 National Automotive Technology Competition. This Final Competition will be held at the New York International Automobile Show in April. GLANCDA and SMCDA will each sponsor Agoura HS and California HS respectively, as representing each of the associations’ regions.

The winning Agoura HS team was comprised of students Matt Bezkrovny and Adam Whelan, along with their advisor John Andersen. From California HS were students Lance Merchain and Leon Hanson with their advisor Bill Buttinelli.

During the competition, student teams exhibited their auto technology skills by testing, diagnosing, and reporting results in categories such as automatic transmission, fuel injection and emission, heating and air conditioning, brakes, basic electrical, tools and measurements.

Schools that participated in the competition were Agoura, Belmont, Mark Keppel, Monrovia, Montebello, North Hollywood, Palmdale, Van Nuys, Venice, Artesia, Bell Gardens, California, Lynwood, Narbonne, and the Southeast Regional Occupational Program.

Los Angeles County is one of the largest retail automotive markets in the world and one of the most sophisticated and enthusiastic markets in the country. Los Angeles dealerships are setting the standard for innovation and selling and at the same time, they are faced with the ever-growing shortage of high-quality technicians to repair and maintain these vehicles each year. Both GLANCDA and SMCDA realize the importance of investing in new talent for the industry.

Other sponsors for the event included MATCO tools and Mercedes-Benz of America, both of which donated prizes and gifts to the participated high schools.

Cerritos College has offered automotive training technology 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 EV hybrid vehicles, 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’s Auto Technology Program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, Chrysler and import vehicles. The College also hosts an Advanced Transportation Technology Center, one of nine Centers in the state of California, to encourage use and development of clean, renewable energies, and alternative fuel sources.

Perhaps most noteworthy, Cerritos College is located just blocks from the world’s largest auto mall where it partners with dealers to train and employ technicians and dealership managers. The greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 17 corporate support centers for the robust Southern California auto industry. It is also home to a number of design centers producing vehicle prototypes for future sales. Automotive-industry management opportunities routinely require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, available at Cerritos College.

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 200 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.

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Cerritos College

Releases 2009