Bridgestone opens new training lab with Akron schools

Akron, Ohio – Bridgestone Americas Inc. launched a new partnership with Akron Public Schools, officially opening the east community learning Automotive Technology Center in cooperation with Firestone Complete Auto Care.

The new training centre will give students a place for hands-on experience for technical instruction in automotive technology alongside necessary business practices, said Nizar Trigui, chief technology officer for Bridgestone Americas.

Bridgestone donated equipment and point-of-sale systems to the centre, which was renovated from the existing automotive technology lab at East CLC by Akron Public Schools.

Students will learn the technical skills behind automotive care through the centre, guided by Bridgestone team members, who have committed to donating 1,000 hours of time in the first year, Trigui said. The company's local technical centre is located just a few miles from the new automotive lab.

"Our technical team wants to donate time, and help, teach and mentor," he said at the ribbon-cutting event. "Some of the stuff we do, we don't learn in schools. We learn out of doing. Then we want to share that experience with people who want to learn. It's a great combination."