HANCOCK – Career and Technical Education (CTE) Automotive students attended the Automotive Student Skills Challenge recently held at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex, Shawn Kolbus, CTE director, announced at the June Copper Country Intermediate School District Board meeting.

The competitive event included a written test, precision measurement, parts identification and hands-on maintenance and light repair skills related to the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. Two local students placed second and third in the U.P.

Matt Garland from Houghton High School placed second, and Owen LaReaux, also from Houghton High School, placed third.

“They were first-year kids,” Kolbus said. “We didn’t take any second-year kids, so we actually only saw half of the program, but I think it’s a testament to the instructor.”

Kolbus also discussed the CTE Automotive students recently having taken the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exam. The exam is a state as well as a course exam, Kolbus said. All of the students eligible for the test passed, earning the industry recognized ASE student certification.