![Large group of students listening to speakers in automotive shop]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1605541286/oubocesorg/vdupfbcvugt0xiqn0fmr/large-SMMrDykes.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1605541286/oubocesorg/vdupfbcvugt0xiqn0fmr/large-SMMrDykes.jpg","width":500}])
- Career & Technical Education
The Career & Technical Education (CTE) Transportation Academy at Orange-Ulster BOCES recently held its first FORD Automotive Career Education (ACE) kick-off event for students in the Automotive Technology program. Representatives from Ford Motor Company, Healey Ford in Goshen, Rockland Community College ASSET Program in Orangeburg, and the Ford ACE program presented information on the Ford ACE online training program. Orange-Ulster BOCES is one of the first high schools in the Northeast to pilot the Ford ACE program to provide possible career paths in the automotive repair industry.
The Ford ACE training program was initiated last year by Ford Motor Company to help head off a forecasted shortage of automotive technicians by raising awareness at the high school level and increasing interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry, ultimately as service technicians with Ford and other manufacturers.
The Ford ACE program gives high school automotive technology students the opportunity to take certified Ford factory training while still in high school. This will
“jump-start” their careers as possible automotive service technicians at Ford dealerships. There are no fees to educational institutions to participate in the Ford ACE program. The only requirement for a school to participate is to be sponsored by a local Ford/Lincoln dealership. Healey Ford is the sponsor for the OU BOCES program.
Director of Career and Technical Education Orande Daring said, “We have many wonderful industry partners who support our students with work-based learning
opportunities, and Healey Ford is no exception. We are very grateful to them for helping to provide our students with this opportunity. Healey Ford has supported Orange-Ulster BOCES for years with clinicals, paid work programs, and dealership tours along with field trips, and they have hired many of our automotive graduates.”
Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education programs give students the opportunity to graduate from high school with technical experience, professional skills, national industry certifications, and college credit in a wide variety of high-demand occupations. The Career and Technical Education Division has programs located on two campuses in Goshen, one on Gibson Road and the other at the Regional Education Center at Arden Hill.
For more information about BOCES Career and Technical Education programs, call 845-291-0300.