Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) has engaged the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to explore ways the two organizations can better serve the needs of students, schools and the automotive service industry.

Working under a Memorandum of Understanding, the effort is being led by Chuck Roberts, ASE executive director, Industry Relations. Roberts has extensive dealership experience, along with experience as an automotive instructor.

ASE and AYES have shared a long history of partnership and cooperation to provide qualified entry-level technicians to the industry, according to a news release. AYES requires participating schools to achieve ASE program certification through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) evaluation system. Most recently, AYES, ASE and SkillsUSA partnered to offer a co-branded end-of-program student exam called the National Automotive Student Skills Standards Assessment, in which ASE will oversee the question development, delivery and administration of the exams for all three organizations.

Both ASE and AYES believe that there are solid opportunities for both organizations to further the mission of preparing young students for entry-level career positions or advanced studies in automotive technology.

"One such opportunity, which has already been identified, is to leverage joint relationships and create increased efficiencies by having ASE manage ongoing AYES program operations," says Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. "In the current automotive environment, both organizations believe joining AYES with the ASE family will result in an effective model for all stakeholders and students."

"Given the current challenging economic environment, particularly among automakers, it was time to take advantage of existing synergies within the automotive industry," says Paul Alcala, chairman of the AYES Executive Committee. "ASE provides a compelling resource."

For more information, visit www.ayes.org or www.ase.com.