Cerritos College's New Automotive Partners Building Grand Opening May 21

Building Features Unique Public-Private Partnership

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Apr 16, 2010, 08:00 ET

NORWALK, Calif., April 16 /PRNewswire/ --

WHAT – Cerritos College will hold a public dedication and open house Friday, May 21, at its new Automotive Partners Building.

The center boasts an appearance of a dealer showroom featuring the state-of-the-art exhibit space with an open meeting area which can display a vehicle for close-up viewing.

The 10,000 square foot building will be a unique facility serving the college's industry partners such as the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA) and Northwood University's West Coast program center that offers a bachelor's degree in automotive management.

The Automotive Partners Building will house the offices of SMCDA and Northwood University, as well as Cerritos College's Advanced Transportation Technology & Energy (ATTE) program.

Interactive technology-enhanced classrooms will be used by Cerritos College and Northwood University. The Dealers Association will use this facility to provide continuing training for the employees of its members, host dealer marketing meetings and new vehicle model presentations.

The center also holds a service advisor lab which can simulate real-world dealership services.

"We envision that the industry presence will give the students exposure to the real life experiences of their chosen profession," said Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Linda Lacy.

"Through this state-of-the-art training center, we commit ourselves to training the future automotive industry workforce."

As the only community college in California with three manufacturer-sponsored technician programs (Chrysler, Ford and General Motors), Cerritos College has created unique educational partnerships with the automotive manufacturers, industry and a four-year private university.

Construction of the Automotive Partners Building was supported in part by three major donors: the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association, the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and local bond funds. Each dealers association has contributed $500,000 and Supervisor Knabe provided $100,000 to the project.

The Automotive Partners Building is part of the automotive training center project which includes a renovation of the existing three-acre auto complex. When completed in 2011, it will play a large role in filling the ever-changing, highly skilled employment needs of the auto industry.

WHEN: Friday, May 21, 2010
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Cerritos College
Automotive Partners Building
11110 Alondra Blvd.
Norwalk, CA 90650

A map of the campus is available at www.cerritos.edu/guide

Parking for the event is free in lot C-10 in white stalls ONLY.

CONTACT: To RSVP, please contact the President's Office at (562) 860-2451 ext. 2206.

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu/.