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Bridgestone Americas Hosts Experiential Learning Day to Celebrate One-Year Anniversary of Collaboration with Akron Public Schools

Bridgestone Americas Hosts Experiential Learning Day to Celebrate One-Year Anniversary of Collaboration with Akron Public Schools

Published 11-01-19

Submitted by Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (Bridgestone) and Firestone Complete Auto Care are celebrating the one-year anniversary of the collaboration with Akron Public Schools (APS) by hosting 90 students from East Community Learning Center (CLC) for an Experiential Learning Day at the Bridgestone Americas Technical Center (ATC) in Akron, Ohio. In July 2018, Bridgestone teamed up with APS to announce the new Bridgestone Academy of Applied Engineering and Technology, which is located at a Firestone Complete Auto Care center within the East CLC’s Automotive Technology Center. The Bridgestone Academy allows students to gain hands-on experience with automotive technology and procedures.

Following the Experiential Learning Day, Bridgestone will celebrate the anniversary milestone with the students from the Bridgestone Academy, along with Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James, United Way of Summit County President and CEO, Jim Mullen, and Bob Lux, director of program engineering, Bridgestone, among others.

“As a company dedicated to advancing the automotive industry through intelligent technologies and products, Bridgestone is proud to celebrate this milestone that has provided a great deal of learning to the students of Akron,” said Nizar Trigui, chief technology officer, Bridgestone Americas. “The Bridgestone Academy at the East CLC teaches students the latest technology, operational procedures and business practices used across the country at our 2,200 Bridgestone Retail Operations tire and automotive service stores. The collaboration between Bridgestone and Akron Public Schools supports our efforts and goals to make education accessible and inclusive to more people.”

With the help of Bridgestone in 2018, Akron Public Schools retrofitted a portion of the existing automotive technology lab at the East CLC. Bridgestone donated materials, fixtures, and point-of-sale systems that are used nationwide across the Bridgestone Retail Operations service network. Today, the East CLC Automotive Technology Center is a complete working automotive repair center with state-of-the-art software programs, a customer waiting area and equipment to service vehicles. All revenue generated from service and sales at the center is reinvested back into the program.

“The relationship between Bridgestone Americas and East Community Learning Center is helping our students gain relevant, real-world skills to be successful after high school,” said Akron Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David James. “Not only are they learning technical and fundamental business skills, but they are also learning important professional skills needed for the workplace.”  

Over the past year, Bridgestone and APS have provided students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with top-of-the-line automotive technology while learning the importance of retail and business acumen. As part of the program, students spend a portion of the semester training in the auto shop serving real customers, and they learn the technical aspects of the job by providing limited auto maintenance services to the local community. Students can also complete the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified curriculum and earn certifications before graduation. After graduation, Bridgestone provides mentorship and internship opportunities to students in the Akron area.

The relationship between Akron Public Schools and Bridgestone was formed with the help of United Way of Summit County. United Way serves as a link between the College and Career Academies of Akron and local businesses to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and to strengthen the education to employment pipeline in Summit County.

“A successful local economy requires a steady stream of new, talented, young professionals,” said Jim Mullen, President and CEO of United Way of Summit County. “The future of our community is in our classrooms, and this program is helping to ensure students leave school with the skills they need to succeed.”

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:

Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, the company is dedicated to improving the way people live, work, move and play in all of the communities it calls home.

About Bridgestone Retail Operations:

Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and operates the largest network of company-owned automotive service centers across the United States – including Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works store locations. Credit First National Association and Firestone Complete Fleet Care operations are also part of BSRO. BSRO is a member of the Bridgestone Americas family of companies.

About Akron Public Schools:

Akron Public Schools (APS) enrolls more than 21,000 students and employs 3,000 teaching and non teaching professionals in Northeastern Ohio.  The district, one of the state's largest and most diverse, covers 62 square miles in a city of 195,000.  APS educators are committed to rigorous teaching and learning, safe learning centers and community engagement to prepare young people to be well rounded and ready for the challenges of learning that follow in life.  The goal of APS is to be the #1 urban school system in the United States.  For more information about Akron Public Schools, visit AkronSchools.com.

About United Way of Summit County:

United Way of Summit County takes on the issues that matter most to children and families in Greater Akron. We pursue Bold Goals through forward-thinking strategies, innovative programs and hands-on work in our community. We team up with private and public leaders, local businesses and thousands of volunteers from across our community to create change that matters. Together, we are hand raisers. Game changers. Because there’s a better future in store for Greater Akron, and the time is now to make it happen. Learn more at uwsummit.org.

Bridgestone Americas logo

Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone Americas

Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its global corporate social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve, the company is dedicated to improving the way people live, work, move and play in all of the communities it calls home.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Understanding that Serving Society with Superior Quality is our heritage and our mission, and embracing our responsibility to future generations as a global leader in our industries, Bridgestone and its teammates around the world employ innovation and technology to improve the way people move, live, work and play.

The best companies not only perform for their stakeholders, but also contribute to a better world.

Through innovative technology, Bridgestone is committed to providing easier, safer, smoother and more seamless mobility for its customers. Building on the enthusiasm of its employees to connect with people worldwide, the company is also focused on building safer and healthier communities, and improving access to education. With regard to the environment, Bridgestone continues to work toward a sustainable society by operating in harmony with nature, valuing natural resources, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

People

We are committed to utilizing our strengths and competencies to address health, safety and education issues in our communities.

Mobility

Through innovative technology, we are committed to easier, safer, smoother and seamless mobility for our society and customers.

Environment

We are committed to continually working toward a sustainable society with integrity and in unity with our customers, partners, communities and the world around us.

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