Snap-on & Gateway Technical College Get Federal Funds

Motor, Dec 2004 by Nash, Tom

The U.S. Dept. of Lahor has awarded Snap-on Incorporated and Gateway Technical College a $900,000 grant to create a program that increases the number of NATEF/ASE certified programs nationwide and helps instructors and organizations prepare for certification, while providing the information in a more convenient and timely manner.

The Dept. of Labor selected Snap-on, Gateway Technical College, the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) to partner on a program that will, according to Labor Deputy secretary Steven J. Law, combine the best of educational, governmental, industry association and commercial resources for the benefit of enhancing automotive service career training.

The program, "Upgrading the Nations Automotive Programs - a Commitment to Partnership Among Education, Government, and Tndustry," aims to raise the level of automotive programs to meet industry standards and provide a way to enhance the performance of community colleges and U.S. Job Corps centers throughout the country.

"We're interested in creating training systems, curriculum and standards that can be used across the country by employers and training providers," said Law. "One of the crucial ingredients we found so compelling about this project was the involvement of NATEF and ASE. Certification from these organizations is critical because we want to make sure that what's developed here, including the curriculum and training courses, is able to be replicated all across the country."

"Snap-on is proud to collaborate with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Gateway Technical College, ASE, NATEF, AYES and other industry organizations to bring much-needed resources and national support to automotive service instructors and programs," said Snap-on's Elliott. "When government, education and industry work together, we all benefit."