Auto shop gets $20,000 donation from Toyota
As a reward for meeting the certifications of Toyota’s affiliated T-TEN program, UCC’s automotive department received an initial $20,000 donation this year from Toyota. The donation is devoted to auto shop renovation, to improve working conditions for the automotive students.
“The school has had a good relationship with Toyota since the 80s,” John Blakely, UCC’s T-Ten coordinator, said.
The T-TEN program (Toyota Education Network) is a regional program, designed to train and place students in positions directly after degree completion. The program includes a set of curriculum in addition to the National Automotive Education Foundation federal regulations for general study. “The A.A. option combines automotive technology instruction with general education courses to earn an A.A. degree,” according to Toyota’s website.
T-TEN is available at UCC as the Associate of Applied Science degree. “This program will teach you everything; it’s great for job placement. It has summer internships, the easiest way to transition from school to a job,” T-TEN student Cody Johnson said. Blakely added, “The majority, around 80 to 90 percent of the students get employed.”
UCC is one of 40 accredited schools in the nation that offer the T-TEN program. Because UCC met Toyota’s program certifications, Toyota granted UCC $20,000, initially approved from their corporate office. Blakely said Toyota gave the $20,000 with an expectation that local dealerships will later match this donation.
The $20,000 donation is not the only contribution Toyota has made to UCC. Over the past three years, Toyota donated approximately $250,000 worth of project vehicles for students to repair. Students must locate and correct installed faults in the vehicles. The students must work on these vehicles in the most efficient way possible.
“At the end of the day you have to fix it; that’s what mechanics do,” Blakely said.
The program’s hand on experience allows students access to modern technology.
“Technology is always improving, so stay motivated,” student Sam Leycock said. Leycock is working for an A.S. degree as one of the 10 students in the T-TEN program.
As part of the additional curriculum of the T-TEN program, students must become familiar with electrical control, transmission systems and suspension alignment.
Renovations funded from the donation have started with safety improvements to the department work shop catwalk. A section of the workshop’s light fixtures have also been replaced with energy efficient T-5 florescent bulbs. These renovations improve the accessibility and visibility for students’ and staff’s convenience. “It’s cool; a good tech always needs more light. Anything that makes the job easier,” Johnson said.