The Team ASE family reflects the broad automotive industry involvement in addressing what is often regarded as the largest challenge facing automotive service and repair—the shortage of qualified entry-level automotive technicians. The ASE Education Foundation is working to ensure that CTE programs have the necessary standards to keep up with rapidly-advancing automotive technology, but it’s the support and involvement of the Team ASE industry partners that make things happen.

One of the most important supporters of Team ASE are the industry associations who work in partnership with the ASE Education Foundation to ensure we have the qualified technical talent needed to fill the technician jobs now and in the future. Some, like the North Texas Automobile Dealers, extend this commitment to include several initiatives ranging from participating with career events to providing technician competitions across the nation. In this episode, we’ll explore some of these ideas in more detail as we talk with Bill Chester, Workforce Development Manager at the North Texas Auto Dealers.

Hear all about it as we talk with Bill about:

· His background in the industry with Mercedes Benz.

· Career Day at the North Texas Auto Expo

· How the North Texas Auto Dealers (NTXDA) works with local CTE programs.

· Encouraging their members to participate in local Advisory Committees to connect with students.

· Making connections for students and industry.

· Advocating for ASE accreditation for CTE programs and ASE Certification for instructors.

· The NTXAD five-week Fast Track program for graduates.

· How they developed the Fast Track curriculum through research and working with their members.

· The NTXAD annual Technician Competition at Texas Motor Speedway.

· How NTXAD members are directly involved in helping to prepare students for jobs in the automotive industry.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com