Date Posted: October 1, 2020
KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. has donated two KIA Optimas to the Southern Crescent Technical College Foundation. These late-model vehicles will be used as a hands-on laboratory to train students on computer diagnostics in the College’s Automotive Technology Program. This generous donation will place current automotive repair technology in students’ hands and prepare them to work in the local automotive industry.
Dr. Alvetta Thomas, President of Southern Crescent Technical College, said, “This vehicle will provide a new lab and will give our students practical experience, strengthening the quality and depth of instruction at Southern Crescent Technical College. We extend a huge thank you to KIA for continuing their support of the mission of Southern Crescent Technical College as we work to build strong students, strong careers, and strong communities.”
The Technical College System of Georgia and Southern Crescent Technical College have enjoyed a long partnership with KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia. In addition to the latest donation, KIA has also made three previous vehicle lab donations to Southern Crescent Technical College. The latest gift ensures that students in the Automotive Technology program will continue receiving up-to-date instruction in the auto repair field.
“We are excited about the opportunity that KIA is giving SCTC to teach our students using the latest equipment in the industry,” commented Allen McChargue, SCTC Automotive Technology Program Coordinator and Instructor. “This generous donation is helping us to better prepare our graduates and provide them with the knowledge they need to be successful in today’s complex automotive environment.”
Southern Crescent Technical College currently offers Automotive Technology and related classes on the Flint River Campus in Thomaston and at the Henry County Center, located in McDonough. Currently, Southern Crescent Technical College has a total of 133 students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program.
The Automotive Technology program offers a broad line of courses ranging from basic repairs to the more advanced diagnostic repairs associated with today’s ever-changing, computer-controlled automobiles. Students learn skills from replacing brake pads and bleeding brake systems, to troubleshooting engine performance problems with lab scopes and meters.
The responsibilities of automotive service technicians and mechanics have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level, technology-related work. Today, integrated electronic systems and sophisticated computers regulate vehicles and their performance while on the road. This increasing sophistication requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their traditional tool skills.