Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES)
AYES is designed to encourage young people to consider careers in the automotive industry. Participating manufacturers, local dealerships, and select high school automotive programs partner to provide qualified Automotive Technology students with internships during high school and prepare them for entry-level career positions or advanced studies.
Visit the AYES website: www.ayes.org

Automotive Advanced Study Group
Automotive Technology students wishing to learn advanced skills used in automotive competitions may try out (via written examination) to become a member of the Advanced Study Group. Students meet after school and/or on Saturdays. Competitions may include Skills USA, Engine Challenge, and the Ford-AAA Auto Skills Competition.

Cosmetology Club
Interested Cosmetology students may practice their skills for competition and participation in area events. Activities may include Skills USA, industry competitions, fashion shows, and the Midwest Beauty Show.

Culinary Club
Open to students in the Culinary, Pastry Arts and Hospitality Management program, Culinary Club members learn and practice skills used in competition. Each year, returning seniors may test for a place on TCD's ProStart Culinary and Management teams, which compete in the fall at the state level (www.prostart.restaurant.org). Other competitions through the year are open to all culinary students and include the College of DuPage Recipe Scholarship Competition in the spring.

DuPage Area Student Leadership Academy
Organized by College of DuPage and the DAOES Partnership Coordinator, the Student Leadership Academy is a community-based education / business initiative linking students, parents, educators, employers, and the community to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the workplace. The academy is funded through the DuPage Partnerships for College & Career Success. Find out more by visiting www.cod.edu/sla.
Participants include DAOES, the Regional Office of Education, the DuPage Workforce Board, Career Vision, area businesses & industry, area Chambers of Commerce, DuPage area school districts, and post-secondary institutions.
Each high school is limited to a maximum of ten student participants. All Leadership Academy students attend four day-long sessions throughout the school year that focus on topics including:

• Diversity and individual styles
• Business attire, etiquette, and communication skillls
• Time management
• How to choose a major or career
• Interviewing skills, résumés, and business writing
• Work attitude and dealing with change

Hospitality Club
Hospitality Club is open to all students in Culinary, Pastry Arts & Hospitality Management and meets during after school hours to plan and attend activities they relate to foodservice.  The concept is to learn through the experiences of cooking and eating, as well as visiting operations such as culinary schools, markets, and restaurants.  Students pay their own expenses.

Illinois Association FFA, TCD Chapter
The FFA, a National Organization for Agricultural Students, represents over 300 diverse careers in the food, fiber, and natural resources industry. Chapter activities and FFA programs concentrate on promoting leadership, personal growth, and career development. Students in TCD's Landscape Design & Management program participate in regional, state, and national FFA events and competitions.
Visit the FFA website: www.illinoisffa.org

Non-Traditional Careers Group
Students enrolled in a TCD program with an interest in a career that has 25% or less of a particular gender (as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor) are eligible to participate. Examples of non-traditional careers:  females in automotive, fire science, or construction fields; or males in nursing, early childhood, or cosmetology. The objective is to raise the level of awareness of non-traditional career opportunities, learn what gender equity involves, and identify barriers and benefits.
The group meets monthly for an hour during the TCD session. Activities include group discussion and guest speakers working in or preparing for non-traditional careers. This program is grant funded and the result of collaboration between Technology Center of DuPage and College of DuPage.
 Visit the website:  www.cod.edu/nontraditional

Skills USA, TCD Chapter
Skills USA is a national student organization serving high school, college, and professional members enrolled in technical, skilled, and service educational programs and occupations. Chapter members have the opportunity to participate in leadership conferences and competitions at the regional, state, and national levels.
Visit the website:  www.illinoisskillsusa.org

Other program-related student competitions:

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