May 12, 2009
For Immediate Release

RCCC Students Perform Well In 'Skills USA' Competition

              SALISBURY, N.C. — Students in Rowan-Cabarrus Community College's Automotive Systems Technology and Welding Technology programs placed in state-level SkillsUSA competitions held recently in Greensboro and Salisbury.

               SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry professionals working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. SkillsUSA serves more than 280,000 students and instructors annually. The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 states and territorial associations. More than 14,500 instructors and administrators are professional members of SkillsUSA.

               Eleven RCCC automotive systems technology students competed in three SkillsUSA contests. Patrick Michael and James Darawich, both of Salisbury, placed second and fourth respectively in the Auto 1 class. Clay Boger of Salisbury finished second in post-secondary automotive division.

               Based on the SkillsUSA results, RCCC's Automotive Technology program awarded Nissan North America scholarships to the top three finishers in the post-secondary division. They are Clay Boger, Chaz Rice of Salisbury, and Barry Mills of Kannapolis. Benton's NAPA Auto Parts and Supply also awarded gift certificates to each of the top two finishers in each category, which were Patrick Michael, James Darawich, Greg Moore of Mooresville, Daniel Cline of Kannapolis, Clay Boger, and Chaz Rice of Salisbury. Other prizes were donated by Rouzer Motor Parts Inc., Gerry Wood Auto Group, U.S. Army Recruiter Sergeant 1st Class Keene D. McLean, and Mark Gridley.

               In the welding competition, RCCC's Michael Warren of Mebane, N.C., placed second in the post-secondary class. RCCC hosted the welding competition at its North Campus in Salisbury. Twenty-six students from community colleges and high schools across North Carolina competed in the welding division.

               RCCC's Automotive Systems Technology program prepares students for employment as automotive service technicians at dealerships and independent repair shops. Classroom and service bay instruction combine technical and academic coursework. The program places an emphasis on theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/ suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control, and manual drive trains. The two-year program serves 100-130 students annually.

               RCCC also offers an Automotive Systems Technology program for 11th and 12th grade high school students through the state's Huskins program. Huskins students pay no tuition for their classes. Both RCCC automotive programs have earned certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

              For more information about RCCC's Automotive Systems Technology programs, call 704-216-3924.
RCCC's Welding Technology program provides students with a sound understanding of the science, technology and applications essential for successful employment in the welding and metal industry. Instruction includes consumable and non-consumable electrode welding and cutting processes. Courses in math, blueprint reading, metallurgy, welding inspection, and destructive and non-destructive testing provides the student with industry-standard skills developed through classroom training and practical application.

               Successful graduates can be employed as entry-level technicians in welding and metalworking industries. Career opportunities also exist in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, sales, quality control, supervision and welding-related self-employment. For more information about RCCC's welding program, call 704-216-3921.

               RCCC is a comprehensive, community-based institution of higher learning, serving the citizens of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina. RCCC is one of 58 colleges in the state-supported North Carolina Community College System.

                RCCC offers fully-accredited associate-degree programs in more than 40 areas of study, including arts and sciences, business, information technology, health and public services, and engineering technologies. RCCC also offers accredited diploma and certificate programs focused on career training, continuing education and basic skills education. RCCC provides a strong foundation and transferable credits for students moving on to four-year colleges and universities and helps adults get the additional training they need to start new careers.

               RCCC annually provides more than 2,000 course offerings, serving an overall enrollment of approximately 20,000 students. In addition, RCCC provides the education and job-training programs needed to meet many of the workforce demands of the North Carolina Research Campus being developed in Kannapolis. For complete details, see the RCCC website at www.rowancabarrus.edu.