In Latin America, especially in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico the automotive industry represents between 9-17% of the manufacturing GDP focusing on manufacturing and being employment industry number one. All countries are manufacturing countries – very little development is conducted as the qualified human capacities are missing. Therefore, big OEMs identify ARG, BRA and MEX as little attractive for development as skills are lacking.ASCENT will close the current lack of skilled labour on automotive engineering (AE) to increase the positive impact of the automotive industry on regional development through the execution of expert trainings for academic staff, students and companies interested in AE and sales management to be also able to sell developments. Further, the installation of testing bays will lead to increased knowledge on AE, higher standards in teaching and will also create higher employability of graduates and more university-business cooperation through the operation of the 6 competence centres on AE in ARG, BRA and MEX attached to the testing bays.Through the expert trainings the target groups are going to receive upgraded knowledge on AE and sales to reach the following aims:• to spread the knowledge of AE during the counselling sessions of the competence centres • to increase the number of projects on AE with companies and • To increase the employability of students due to upgraded knowledge on AE and sales To expand generated knowledge a network for AE and sales will be established. It´s promoted through cross-border conferences and it´s important to add value to the automotive industry in Latin America.Through the cooperation with companies, associations and governmental bodies, the university-business cooperation will be improved. This leads to three advantages: • increased employability of students in the automotive sector• increased teaching standards• strengthen cooperation uni-business