National Press Release

TROY, Mich., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) announced that it has engaged the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to explore ways the two organizations can better serve the needs of students, schools and the automotive service industry. Working under a Memorandum of Understanding, the effort is being led by Chuck Roberts, ASE Executive Director, Industry Relations. Roberts has extensive dealership experience, along with experience as an automotive instructor.

ASE and AYES have shared a long history of partnership and cooperation to provide qualified entry-level technicians to the industry. In fact, AYES requires participating schools to achieve ASE program certification through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) evaluation system. Most recently, AYES, ASE and SkillsUSA partnered to offer a co-branded end-of-program student exam called the National Automotive Student Skills Standards Assessment, in which ASE will oversee the question development, delivery and administration of the exams for all three organizations.

Both ASE and AYES believe that there are solid opportunities for both organizations to further the mission of preparing young students for entry-level career positions or advanced studies in automotive technology. "One such opportunity, which has already been identified, is to leverage joint relationships and create increased efficiencies by having ASE manage ongoing AYES program operations," said Tim Zilke, ASE President & CEO. "In the current automotive environment, both organizations believe joining AYES with the ASE family will result in an effective model for all stakeholders and students."

"Given the current challenging economic environment, particularly among automakers, it was time to take advantage of existing synergies within the automotive industry," said Paul Alcala, Chairman of the AYES Executive Committee. "ASE provides a compelling resource."

AYES is a partnership among participating automotive manufacturers, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Automotive Trade Association Executives, State Departments of Education and Labor, local dealerships and select high schools across the country. AYES' goal is to encourage quality students with a good mechanical aptitude to pursue careers in the fields of automotive technology and prepare them for entry-level positions in dealerships. For more information, visit www.ayes.org.

Incorporated on June 12, 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was established as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are approximately 400,000 ASE-certified professionals who work in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, machine shops, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit the Web site at www.ase.com.

SOURCE Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES)