COLLEGE REVIVING AUTO-TECH TRAINING CAR DEALERS BACK PROGRAM FOR BIGGER LOCAL LABOR POOL.Byline: ALEX DOBUZINSKIS Staff Writer VALENCIA Valencia, region, Spain Valencia (välān`thēä), autonomous region (1990 pop. 3,902,429) and former kingdom, E Spain, on the Mediterranean. It now comprises the provinces of Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia. -- For the first time in more than two decades, College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. will have an automotive training program in the fall. The college will handle the instruction but use Saugus High School's garage. Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. auto dealers back the program and agreed last week to provide it with $100,000 in cash and in-kind contributions over two years. The dealers want to hire more auto technicians for their shops. ``This program is not designed for the hobbyist hob·by 1 n. pl. hob·bies An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure. ,'' said Audrey Green, dean of program development at the college. ``This program is designed to train technicians to work in industry.'' Many Santa Clarita Valley residents who want auto-tech training go to Pierce College In 2006 the Library won a national Excellence award. Academics Pierce College offers associate's degrees, mainly in the arts and sciences. There are also certificate programs in early childhood education, social services, dental hygienist, and others. in Woodland Hills or other schools even farther away. Bill McClendon, Lexus of Valencia general manager, said his shop's best auto tech came from a training program in Cerritos, and he wants a larger pool of qualified local techs to hire from. ``There's a desperate need for technicians in our industry,'' he said. The college's new auto-mechanics program, with seven courses planned, should help meet that demand. Saugus High's auto-shop garage was falling into disrepair and the school was going to end its program before the college stepped in. Now the college has bought new equipment for the garage, which will have one or two part-time instructors. The college has spent $100,000 on the program. Its state grant application is pending, and it also hopes to have the course approved by the state and certified See certification. by the National Automotive Technicians Education Association. No matter how its various applications for funding and certification go, the college is prepared to offer the program, open to both high school students and adults. Even though the courses will be taught at a high school, Green said the material and instruction will be college-level. ``Honestly, in the automotive industry The automotive industry is the industry involved in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. In 2006, more than 69 million motor vehicles, including cars and commercial vehicles were produced worldwide. , to be a technician See PC technician and software technician. , it's not just wrenches anymore,'' Green said. ``And so there's a lot to learn. You can't walk in off the street and get a job. You have to have the training.'' The program will start this fall with two courses, engine fundamentals and electrical systems. Topics to be covered in later courses will include suspension, brake and power systems, and transmission systems. College officials hope to have at least 30 to 60 students complete the program in two years. alex.dobuzinskis@dailynews.com (661) 257-5253 |
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