By Brian Cruickshank, AAP
WELLSVILLE, NY – Under the banner of ‘Progress Through Partnership,’ Alfred State College’s Automotive Trades program held an Automotive and Heavy Duty Industry Open House late last week at its Wellsville, NY campus.
The event brought together students, instructors and industry in a unique two-day event designed to showcase Alfred’s educational programs to the industry and expose its students to manufacturers and suppliers through panel discussions and a small booth show.
WD and local store owner Uni-Select USA/MAWDI was one of the chief organizers of the event. For Uni-Select USA/MAWDI and its local division, Fred Roberts Auto Parts, partnering with educational programs such as Alfred’s pays future dividends for all parties involved.
“Alfred State College is developing the future of the industry,” said Fred Roberts Auto Parts Area Manager Al Mosher, who helped spearhead the event. “Quality education and training equal quality customers and quality employees. The partnership of Alfred State College and Uni-Select USA/MAWDI is one of the many keys to our future success.”
It’s no wonder Uni-Select USA/MAWDI chose to partner with Alfred. For more than 30 years, Alfred State College has provided the kinds of hand-on, technologically sound educational programs the industry needs. Alfred’s Automotive Trades Department offers associate degree programs in automotive service, heavy equipment, truck and diesel and auto body repair.
Each of these programs is ASE Master Certified by NATEF. It also offers an associate degree in motorsports technology at its main campus in Alfred, NY. Additionally, an auto parts program is slated to begin in 2006.
Uni-Select USA/MAWDI executive vice president Jim Buzzard shared his passion for supporting industry education though partnerships such as this. He said that the many challenges the industry faces can be solved through education.
“This industry offers tremendous opportunity for young people,” said Buzzard. “But at the same time, we know we have challenges. Perhaps the greatest single challenge we face is finding the young people, the next leaders of our industry. Where are they going to come from? Where are we going to find the technicians of the future? Beyond that, we need parts people, managers and leaders of the future. We have to be proactive – and this is where it starts.”
Editor’s Note: Complete coverage will appear in a future issue of aftermarketNews and the October issue of Counterman.
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