Vocational Students Take Center Stage at 10th Anniversary of Center for Automotive Education & Training

WHITESTONE, N.Y., Dec. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

EVENT:  With the focus on the economic benefits of vocational education, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association will host a press conference to mark the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Center for Automotive Education & Training (CAET): a 90,000 sq. ft., $30 million facility in Whitestone, Queens.  CAET will celebrate the thousands of young men and women from diverse backgrounds who have trained, qualified and entered into high-paying skilled jobs in local business across our region.  Since opening its doors in 2005, 80,000 people have been through its doors, including 36,780 dealership employees. CAET has held 2,503 seminars, events and launches, and welcomed over 50 separate automotive companies and brands hosting events of their own. 

GUESTS/SPEAKERS:

• The event will include remarks, via video, from the Honorable Charles E. Schumer, United States Senator, D-NY; Honorable Joseph Crowley, U.S. House of Representatives, D-NY 14^th District (Queens, Bronx); Honorable Grace Meng, U.S. House of Representatives, D-NY 6^th District (Queens), Honorable Melinda Katz, Queens Borough President, and Michael Mulgrew, President United Federation of Teachers.
• Event speakers include: NY State Senator Toby Stavisky (District 16); NY State Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (District 26); Terri Egan, Executive Deputy Commissioner, New York Department of Motor Vehicles; Sterling Roberson, vice president for Career and Technical Education, UFT; Scott Shaw, CEO and President of Lincoln Technical Institute; Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.
• Teachers, students, and small business owners who have employed the trained students, will be available to discuss the importance of vocational training and how it has impacted lives.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

10 Auto Engines Donated to 10 Area Schools:

• Ten 1.2L four-cylinder General Motors Spark engines each worth over $4,000 will be donated to ten area schools. The engines will be utilized in the Auto Technologies programs within each school to help ensure students continue to get exposure to the latest vehicle engines and technologies. Schools include Alfred E. Smith CTE High School in the Bronx.

10 Scholarships Presented to 10 Area Students:

• Ten scholarships of $5,000 each will be presented to ten students from the following schools: Thomas Edison High School (Queens), Automotive High School (Brooklyn), H.B. Ward (Riverhead), Wilson Tech (Northport), Rockland BOCES, Wilson Tech (Dix Hills).
• Plus, Four students from Lincoln Technical Institute. Three are former veterans who are retraining to work in the auto industry and will be in their military uniforms.

Economic Impact Report Release: The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association will unveil the 2015 GNYADA Economic Impact Report.  Area dealers generate $39 billion.

VISUALS: Visuals will include a pop-up exhibition of images from the past decade, including the Center's grand opening and construction.

Directions: From New York City:  Grand Central Parkway or L.I.E. east to Whitestone Expressway, follow signs to Whitestone Bridge, exit before bridge at 20^th Avenue (Exit 15), make left at 20^th Ave, cross over Whitestone Expressway and go one block to Petracca Place.  Make a right turn onto Petracca Place and proceed to the end of the block.

SOURCE Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association