Career Enrichment Center Students Succeed in National Auto Skills Finals

Partners captured seventh place in national competition.

CEC students Konnor Davis (center) and James Primmer (right) received a trophy at the National Auto Skills Finals, along with their instructor Mark Mulroy.

July 13, 2012

Two students from Albuquerque Public Schools’ Career Enrichment Center finished seventh as New Mexico’s representatives in the National Auto Skills Finals recently. Konnor Davis and James Primmer competed against duos from the other 49 states at the Ford Motor Co. headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. 

Davis and Primmer had to complete a written exam and a timed event in which they were required to diagnose and repair “bugs” that were intentionally installed on a 2012 Ford vehicle. They competed in similar tests locally, earning the right to participate in the national competition as state automotive skills champions. Theirs was the best finish by a New Mexico team in the competition's history.

Davis also will be a senior Cibola High School, while Primmer is a 2012 graduate of Albuquerque High. Their CEC instructor is Mark Mulroy. 

Ford and AAA host the annual competition, providing $12 million in scholarships each year to help students advance their automotive technical education. The competition is designed for high school juniors and seniors who are interested in careers as auto service technicians. Students are tested on automotive knowledge, workmanship and problem-solving abilities.