Courier

Media Credit: Chi Hong Wong A 2004 Toyota 4Runner was donated by the Automotive Youth Education Systems as an education tool for automotive students.

PCC has been named as an official Automotive Youth Education Systems program, making it the second community college in California to be approved by AYES.

AYES is a national partnership of education departments, automobile manufacturers and automobile dealers dedicated to preparing students to fill entry-level positions in the automotive industry.

Subsequently, Toyota donated a 2004 4Runner to the PCC automotive department.

PCC has also been contacted by General Motors for the donation of three pallets of GM tools for students to use.

"Part of the requirements of AYES are internships, and job shadowing of dealers," said Douglas Haines, dean of the engineering and technology department.

"It puts the dealer community on notice that we will come knocking, and they will also have to come forward to us to give our students a chance to go out and see what it means to go work in a dealership and learn the rules and regulations of on-the-job training to get ready to be automobile technicians," said Haines.

With the automotive industry in a state of crisis, Haines believes that programs like this are becoming more valuable to students' needs.

"Programs like this are extremely important because entry level workers will always be needed. Yes, we're in tough times, but this program allows students to get more on the job training and increase their skills during tough economic times," said Haines.

Beginning summer intersession, a new certificate of electronic and electrical systems repair has been approved for students in the automotive program.

"With all the electronics that are in cars, including sensors, navigational, sound and security systems and all of the components that are in cars for performance now, the students have to understand electronics and the systems that are in cars. And now we have equipment and testing set up in that area," said Haines.

PCC has also been contacted by BMW for vehicle donation next year.

"The program will go a long way to helping prepare students for their futures, especially with all of the down-sizing happening in the automobile industry these days," said John Virtudes, a 20-year-old automotive student. "The closer we can get to actual dealers and manufacturers as students, the easier the transition will be when we actually have to go out and get jobs in the field."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools