ASE Instructor Training Conference: General Session
Key Highlights
- $25 million Department of Labor grant awarded: ASE Education Foundation secured funding to support registered apprenticeships across OEM, dealer, aftermarket, truck, and collision sectors.
- Anthony Jose named 2026 Instructor of the Year: The Great Plains auto collision instructor has placed 90% of his students into local industry jobs.
- ASE Connects officially launches: ASE's acquisition of WrenchWay creates a unified platform connecting educators, students, shops, and industry professionals.
- Student profiles and AI-powered resumes coming fall 2026: Students can create profiles highlighting skills, interests, and availability (part-time work, job shadows, full-time employment, apprenticeships).
Many exciting announcements about shaping the future of automotive technician training were made at the 2026 ASE Instructor Training Conference on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
This general session highlights the recognition of excellence in automotive education, a landmark $25 million Department of Labor grant for registered apprenticeships, and the launch of ASE Connects—a transformative platform designed to unite educators, students, shops, and industry professionals.
You'll hear from:
- Anthony Josey, 2026 ASE Education Foundation Instructor of the Year, who shares how his Great Plains auto collision program has placed 90% of graduates into local industry positions.
- Dave Johnson, ASE President and CEO, on living up to ASE's founding vision and the power of industry-wide collaboration.
- Mark Wilson and Jay Goninen, leaders of ASE Connects, who unveil a six-step technician pipeline initiative and new student profile tools that make connecting with industry partners easier than ever.