SEVERNA PARK, MD — The Chesapeake Automotive Business Association (CABA) and the Industrial Training Department of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) have announced a new agreement to improve the availability to the aftermarket of community college programming in automotive technology and in small business management.

Through the informal partnership, CABA will promote CSM’s automotive technology programming and business management programming; and CSM will provide CABA with venues for instruction of advanced technical and managerial topics to in-service owners and employees of aftermarket small businesses. CABA will also assist CSM in forming and maintaining appropriate councils to optimize the relevance and quality of the CSM education programming with adult learners in the aftermarket.

"The need to develop automotive technology skills and business management sophistication has never been greater for our people in aftermarket small business," said Brian Kress, a CABA Education Committee member who was active in pursuing this agreement. "Our partnership with the community college system puts relevant instruction right into everyone’s own neighborhood."

"The College of Southern Maryland and other community colleges like us are fortunate to involve ourselves with enthusiastic and engaging partners like the Chesapeake Automotive Business Association," added Arlene Kirby, director of industrial training for CSM. "We view our agreement today as an immense opportunity to improve the quality and participation in our programming."

While this agreement is only now between CABA and CSM, the intent is to use this partnership as a model for further partnerships with any willing community college in Maryland or Delaware. CABA Executive Director, Skip Potter, invites college or aftermarket personnel interested in this program to contact him by phone at (410) 647-0505 or by email at [email protected].