NACAT Update June 2026
NACAT | Published on 6/1/2026
Dear NACAT Members,
Just a friendly reminder, if you haven’t already registered for The Automotive Teacher Conference hosted by NACAT and California Automotive Teachers (CAT), there is still time. Do you still need mandatory training hours to keep your ASE certification? Do you want in on the latest EV training? It’s all going to be available for you in Sacramento, California on June 15th through the 18th. Go to nacat.org to see the entire conference schedule and to reserve your spot! We can’t wait to see you there, it won’t be the same without you!
Also, for any of you going to the national SkillsUSA contest in Atlanta, look for the NACAT Roundtable discussion that will take place on Tuesday June 2nd from 1:00 to2:30 PM. The topic for this discussion will be centered around the current challenges we as instructors are facing in our programs. One challenge for all of us will likely be navigating the new Federal guidelines for funding in CTE. On one hand it is great that CTE is being given the attention it deserves, on the other hand what impact will that have in the short and long term for our programs.
I am sincerely thankful that after many years of coming in second or third in our state SkillsUSA contest here in Colorado, we had a student take 1st place in the High School competition and will be headed to Atlanta next month. This comes at the end of the most challenging year I’ve had as an instructor and is a wonderful reminder of why I chose to be a teacher - to pass on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of repair technicians.
In closing, I want to take the time to wish all of you a restful, not stressful summer break(if you indeed get one). I’m giving you full permission to spend time on yourselves and do those things you rarely have time for during the school year. We certainly deserve it!
Warmest Regards,
Ed Martin, NACAT President