TCC scores in competitive auto-skills contest

TCC’s Regional Automotive Center (RAC) faculty and students enjoyed a special opportunity to educate thousands of people during the region’s 100th annual Auto Show. The Hampton Roads Automobile Dealers Association (HRADA) invited TCC to share information about the automotive technology program during the Auto Show held Jan. 6-8 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

In addition to staffing a booth and display area, RAC staff coordinated the annual SkillsUSA District Automotive Technology contest on Jan. 7 during the show. The competition challenges top automotive students from area schools and colleges to demonstrate a range of diagnostic and mechanical skills.

TCC students Dino Akaratovic, a Chrysler CAP student, won first place in the post-secondary division of the contest; he will move on to the state competition in April. Dustin Hanson, a Honda PACT student, finished second in the post-secondary division. TCC regularly has winning students in the annual test of skills, notes Beno Rubin, director of the Regional Automotive Center.