The MCPS Foundations Office and the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades (ATF) and Information Technology Foundations (ITF) hosted its annual Careed and Awards Day on Thursday, May 23 in Gaithersburg.
Per the news release: “Yesterday, May 23, 2024 at Bohrer Park, over 400 students gathered together to celebrate their achievements at the annual Career and Awards Day hosted by the MCPS Foundations Office and the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades (ATF) and Information Technology Foundations (ITF). Prior to the ceremony, over 25 automotive representatives gathered together for their quarterly ATF Board of Directors Meeting. Throughout the meeting, industry representatives shared automotive trends, as well as focused on ideas on how MCPS could enhance the automotive programs to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to enter the industry. At the conclusion of the meeting, all industry representatives transitioned over to the Awards Ceremony.
The ceremony began with introductions and then a keynote speaker provided insight to the importance of soft-skills as students enter their selected industry. After the keynote address, the ATF and ITF recognized student accomplishments. 13 students were recognized by their teachers as Outstanding Students and automotive students received a gift from the North Bethesda Rotary Club. Also, DARCARS and Fitzgerald Automotive Groups recognized graduating students that are currently interning with their organizations.
In addition, the ATF awarded three students with the ATF Scholarship. The scholarship recipients will have the ATF pay all fees associated with the Automotive Education Dealership Institute (ADEI) program and help place the students in a dealership. The students will receive a full-time salary and spend one day a week at Montgomery College to complete college level automotive courses. At the end of the two-year ADEI program, students will have connections within the industry and additional certifications to ensure that they will be able to earn a living wage.
Additionally, over 180 MCPS students were recognized as MCPS Program Completers and over 300 industry certifications (ASE, iCar, and CompTIA) were earned by ATF and ITF students. As these students prepare to leave MCPS and continue in their field, they will be able to enter the workforce with outside, impartial validation that they know and have mastered specialized industry concepts.
Finally, all students and industry representatives partook in a picnic and Car Show. The picnic served as a networking event that provided time for students and business leaders a chance to engage informally engage in conversation and make connections within the industry. Also, during the picnic, many ATF members brought their classic and new cars out to show to students.”
