Cherokee High School is the first high school in the Cherokee County School District to earn national accreditation for its automotive/transportation training program.

The designation, which is awarded by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation and National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, recognizes high school and technical college programs that meet national standards and is an indication to employers that its graduates are career ready.

“This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents,” said Donald Seyfer, NATEF Chairman. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that Cherokee’s graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by Cherokee, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force.”

Cherokee High’s automotive program was accredited in the following areas: Electrical and Electronics, Brakes, Engine Performance, and Steering and Suspension. To achieve the recognition, the school’s automotive training program underwent rigorous evaluation by the NATEF, and nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities, and equipment were used in that review.

Upon completion of the evaluation, NATEF recommended that Cherokee High be accredited by ASE, a national non-profit organization that tests and certifies repair technicians, in addition to accrediting automotive training programs.

“During the past few months, we have worked closely with NATEF, school administration, board of education officials, building maintenance and fellow teachers to make certain that our program would meet strict industry standards, and now we are delighted to rejoin the ranks of the ASE accredited training programs,” Cherokee HS Automotive Instructor Mike Hagan said. “Students will be assured of a quality education, and shop owners will be assured of getting quality job applicants.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo said this accreditation is yet another sign to stakeholders illustrating how important career readiness is to the School District.

“We know that some of our students possess amazing talents in career, technical and agricultural fields and may choose to enter the workforce or technical college upon graduation rather than pursue university studies,” he said. “Providing these students with the career readiness instruction they need is vitally important, and I’m very proud of the efforts of the teachers and administrators at Cherokee High School for earning this accreditation, which not only is a testament to their hard work, but an asset for our graduates as they enter the marketplace.”