ASE Education Foundation Board Chair’s Message

Leesburg, Virginia 20/09/2024

Joelle Pollak

Co-Founder

Promotive

September 2024

For over 40 years, the ASE Education Foundation has been dedicated to developing a steady stream of well-trained entry-level technicians through a network of ASE-accredited automotive, collision and medium/heavy truck programs at high schools and colleges nationwide. These programs play a crucial role in addressing the technician shortage facing the transportation industry.

As the current chair of the ASE Education Foundation, I am proud to work with the dedicated board members who bring knowledge, experience and passion to the foundation. Together, we work to enhance the connections between schools, educators, students and employers that help attract interested students and prepare them for careers as service professionals.

As we welcome students back for another school year, I would like to share the true value the ASE Education Foundation provides to the industry. ASE-accredited programs prove their excellence by meeting rigorous national standards with top-notch facilities, tools, equipment, curriculum and qualified instructors. As a result, students gain a comprehensive introduction to service and repair, while employers benefit from a reliable influx of skilled new talent.

Many states have integrated industry-recognized ASE credentials into their career and technical education (CTE) programs, including ASE entry-level certifications. While these certifications validate a student's technical knowledge, they do not encompass practical experience. That is where businesses play a crucial role, offering work-based learning opportunities that provide students with the hands-on experience necessary to complement their classroom education.

Because this collaboration thrives when schools and businesses join forces at the local level to support one another, the ASE Education Foundation facilitates those partnerships through a nationwide network of field managers dedicated to helping connect schools with employers, benefiting students throughout the country.

In addition, the ASE Adopt-A-School Program is an excellent resource for employers who are unsure how to begin partnering with local schools. This online tool bridges the gap between businesses and schools by providing clear steps for employers to get involved. It also offers guidance on setting up job shadowing and structured work-based learning programs for students. At the recent ASE Instructor Training Conference in Minneapolis, nearly 300 instructors from around the country reviewed work-based program strategies and covered key topics such as effective teaching strategies, best practices and evolving vehicle technologies, including ADAS systems and calibration, electric vehicles and high-voltage systems. The interest and enthusiasm of the instructors is a clear indication of the bright future for our industry, and the ASE Education Foundation will continue to be there to support their efforts, connect the industry with education and help students launch successful careers.

On behalf of the ASE Education Foundation Board of Directors, I'd like to thank our many instructors and administrators for their hard work and wish everyone a very successful school year.