IAPT announced that its mechanics workshops and hands-on training this summer will serve as the qualifier for the eighth annual America's Best School Bus Inspector and School Bus Technician Training and Skills Competition scheduled for this September.

Illinois' Best School Bus Technician Competition will be held on June 23 and 24 in Sandwich, Ill., about 60 miles southwest of Chicago. Before the competition, Braun and Ricon are scheduled to present seminars and hands-on training on wheelchair lifts while Blue Bird, IC Bus, and Thomas Built Buses will guide attendees on the latest vehicle features. The event will also feature a trade show.

Presented by NAPT, America's Best will be held in late September in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by the Texas School Bus Technicians Association. Hydrotex and IAPT will cover travel costs for the winners of the Illinois competition.

Editor's note: A previous version of this article indicated the 2011 America's Best event would be held in Jasper, Ind., which was the location of the 2010 skills competition and training. The exact location of this year's America's Best in San Antonio was not yet announced at this writing.