Staff Reports | Community Updates
Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) recently hosted its annual Auto Skills Challenge, a competition that prepares high school students in the first or second year of West-MEC’s automotive technology program for careers in the industry.
More than 100 West-MEC students competed in 12 skill stations of ranging from various electrical diagnosing, brake system diagnosing, hybrid drive system diagnosing, a fun “King of the Hill” spark plug challenge and job interviewing with local hiring managers, according to a press release.
First, second and third place students each winning a cache of tools that will be instrumental in their future careers as automotive technicians, the release states.
In the second-year program, Zachary Williams won first place; followed by Ethan Afshari in second and Austin Davis in third. First-year program student winners were Yousef Yousef (1st), Jason Paul Corens (2nd) and Jadyn Birschbach (3rd).
Second-year winners received loaded tool boxes with a full 243-piece master tool kit, along with specialty tools and a large Bluetooth speaker. First-year winners won loaded tool kits with a similar starter toolset. In total, nearly $9,000 worth of tools was awarded in prizes, the release states.
The West-MEC Auto Skills Challenge doubled as a recruiting opportunity for participating sponsors and a networking opportunity for the students.
West-MEC’s automotive technology program teaches students all aspects of automotive repair and maintenance including engine performance, engine repair, brakes, steering, suspension and alignment, and electrical systems.
