ASHLAND, MA (September 21, 2011) – Today, General Motors Foundation donated $27,000 to help fund automotive technician programs at Massachusetts Bay Community College (MassBay Community College) with the goal of training the next generation of auto service technicians in Massachusetts.
An event will be held at MassBay Community College today to present the donation to the college.
“Through this gift we will strengthen our strong workforce development partnership with the automotive and transportation industries,” said John O’Donnell, President of MassBay Community College. “We are grateful for these important funds, which will help enable us to continue providing our students with the resources and skills they need to maintain and repair today’s increasingly complex modern-day vehicles.”
“Education is an important part of the GM Foundation’s work,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “There is a great need in the automotive industry for trained service technicians at auto dealerships and independent repair shops.” Pickard continued, “Through this donation, we are proud to invest in the future of the repair industry and cultivate workforce talent by investing in the next generation of auto repair technicians.”
Many potential students who want to pursue an education in the automotive service technician field are unable to afford the costs of training programs. The donation will help build GM’s ASEP program at MassBay Community College. Upon graduation, students receive an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology.
To help offset training costs, ACDelco, a leader in automotive replacement parts offering aftermarket products and related services, will provide MassBay Community College students with a full year’s access to its automotive service information.
“Through complete access to our service, students will be able to gain access to the most comprehensive and up-to-date vehicle service information,” said Carlos Aponte, ACDelco’s Regional Service Training Manager.
This donation will support the need in the automotive industry for trained service technicians, particularly given the growing complexity of advanced technology vehicles. Learnings from this program will be used to help establish and improve similar programs in other states.
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to deserving American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit:
www.gm.com/corporate/responsibility/community