Student Techs Team Up to Be The Best in State Auto Repair Championship

  What:           FORD/AAA Student Auto Skills Contest, a fast-paced hands-
                  on contest to diagnose and repair deliberately "bugged"
                  vehicles.

  Who:            The state's best high school automotive technology
                  students.

  When:           9:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 28

  Where:          Hennepin Technical College (North Campus)

  Why:            According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there is an
                  estimated shortage of 60,000 trained service and repair
                  technicians. In 2000, there were 840,000 automotive
                  technicians employed nationwide with an expected growth
                  increase of 10-20 percent through the year 2010.

                  Advancements in automobile safety, fuel management and
                  comfort have led to a greatly increasing reliance on
                  computers and electronic components; therefore, today's
                  technician must be well educated and stay on the cutting
                  edge of computer and electronic technology. At the same
                  time, these technicians must be well versed on all aspects
                  of mechanical repair procedures and service intervals and
                  requirements.

                  The state champion team will earn scholarships and prizes
                  and advance to the National Finals at Ford's World
                  Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan on June 29.

  Participating
  Schools:        Bemidji High School
                  Blue Earth High School
                  Burnsville High School
                  Fairmont High School
                  Faribault High School
                  Hibbing High School
                  Moorhead High School
                  Northfield High School
                  Rosemount High School

  AAA Minnesota/Iowa, which includes more than 700,000 members, offers
  automotive, travel, insurance and financial services. It is part of The
  Auto Club Group (ACG), the largest affiliation of AAA clubs in the
  Midwest, with 4.1 million members in eight states. ACG clubs belong to the
  national AAA federation, a not-for-profit organization, with more than
  45 million members in the United States and Canada.

  Contact:  Gary Klopp, (952) 707-4756
            Shannon Swanson, (952) 707-4623

PRNewswire -- April 26