Hybrid technology. Biofuels. Stricter emissions requirements. GPS devices. It all adds up to more sophisticated cars and greater challenges for automotive technicians. At San Jacinto College, the automotive technology program is going to great lengths to keep up with ever-changing industry trends and developments.

San Jacinto College student Travis Taylor, left, works with San Jacinto College automotive technology instructor Romulo Vela in the College’s state-of-the-art auto technology lab.

The auto technology training at the College’s Central campus is considered among the top with the nation’s two-year colleges. The College’s Toyota program achieved the state’s highest ranking and was ranked in the top seven in the nation and first in the southern region in 2005. A high percentage of San Jacinto College’s auto tech students graduate with honors, and graduates of the program consistently maintain a high employment rate after graduation.

It’s little wonder then that San Jacinto College is regularly chosen as the site to host training workshops for teachers to help them keep up with advances and changes in the automotive repair technology industry. During the workshops which are generally held in the summer, training instructors from auto manufacturers work together with San Jacinto College automotive technology instructors to train high school teachers from all over the state who participate in the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) program.

“The workshops are very important for AYES instructors because they learn about the most up-to-date technological advances,” commented Ric Menard, state coordinator for AYES. “The teachers can also earn part of their 40 hours of training required by AYES.” AYES is a partnership between auto manufacturers, dealerships, high schools and colleges to develop well-trained automotive technicians in a field requiring specialized skills.

Menard said San Jacinto College was a natural choice for hosting the training workshops because of the college’s solid reputation in the auto technology industry. The program is highly respected in the area, the state and around the nation. Menard remarked that, “the college’s program is one of the best programs — if not the best program — in the country. San Jacinto College’s automotive students are highly regarded and they frequently become long-term employees at dealerships after they graduate.”

Toyota executives from China recently visited San Jacinto College for a status report on the College’s Toyota Technical Education Network (TTEN) program and to tour the College’s automotive technology facilities.

David Norman, San Jacinto College’s auto technology program manager, and Homer Swihart, the College’s TTEN instructor, spoke to the visitors about how the College constantly endeavors to meet and exceed the latest factory certification requirements.
Norman said the main reason for the program’s tradition of excellence is the solid relationship between San Jacinto College and area high schools that train students through the AYES program.

Swihart said that during the 2007-2008 school year, San Jacinto College anticipates graduating a record number of TTEN students. He said another reason for the program’s success is the continual support from the Toyota corporation. Toyota USA and local Toyota dealerships regularly donate vehicles and equipment to San Jacinto College’s TTEN program for use in student training.

Lenny Gordon, a recent San Jacinto College graduate, is an avid promoter of the College’s auto tech program. “San Jac really helped me to get a jump start in the automotive industry,” commented Gordon. “As a student in the College’s auto tech program, I learned so much about the automotive service technician field, but I also learned a lot about how a modern dealership works. I really recommend San Jac’s program for anyone interested in getting into the service technician field.”

After graduating from San Jacinto College, Gordon, who lives in Pasadena, transferred to the University of Houston (UH) and is working at Monument Chevrolet while he works on a four-year degree from UH.

San Jacinto College’s automotive technology department also regularly hosts advisory committee meetings, which allow students and faculty members to network and share valuable information with automobile industry representatives.

The College’s program also offers students opportunities to be involved in automotive technician internships at various different Houston area automobile dealerships, where they gain valuable practical experience.

San Jacinto College offers specialized, state-of-the-art training programs in General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota and Honda. The program also maintains an affiliation with BMW, through which qualifying San Jacinto College graduates can obtain nine months of specialized training at a BMW facility.

San Jacinto College’s Central campus offers both certificate and associate degree programs in automotive technology. For more information, please call 281-998-6150 or visit www.sanjac.edu/autotech/.