The State of Washington has recognized Clark College for its outstanding work in Career Launch programs that support student learning and employment. Two Clark College automotive programs have been endorsed by the state’s Career Launch Initiative. That good news was announced April 1.
The Hannah initiative for Technician Education (HiTECC) supporting area Honda/Acura, Audi, and the Dick Hannah dealerships and the Toyota Technician & Education Network (T-TEN) supporting area Toyota/Lexus have been accepted into the state network of Career Launch programs.
“We have forged dealer partnerships that have helped make our programs successful. Our ‘Earn and Learn’ model really complements those dealers who have a desire to ‘grow their own’ technician,” said Tonia Haney, head of Clark College Automotive Technologies. “Students completing these programs will have the experience and certifications to start their career. Most importantly, our graduates will have a job in a dealership that is invested in helping them grow into a successful technician.”
Opportunities to expand
This endorsement allows Clark College to apply for additional state grants to invest in equipment and technology. It also helps the programs expand to increase the number of the students and automotive dealership partners.
Both programs train technicians to work in the automotive industry. Clark’s students enrolled in a Dealer Ready program participate in paid internships, receive factory certified training, and graduate with credentials from highly respected automotive industry organizations including the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
Students learn current automotive technology by working in a 14,000-square-foot facility on state-of-the-art simulators and late-model vehicles donated by local industry.
“Because of our collaboration with Clark College and the T-TEN program, we are able to strengthen our dealership’s core, position our company for the future, and put our people in a position to win,” said Dan Morton, Shop Manager and Diagnostic Specialist at Kuni Lexus of Portland.
High-Demand Jobs
Clark’s graduates are in high demand by dealerships and experience an accelerated path to better pay and benefits. Clark College is certified by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation and has been training automotive technicians for more than 40 years.
Clark now has three programs that are Career Launch endorsed. Clark’s Mechatronics program was certified last fall, working with business partner SEH-America. With Career Launch support, additional high-tech companies in Clark County plan to launch similar partnerships this fall.
In February, Governor Jay Inslee visited SEH-America to meet with Clark students and the Career Launch partners to learn more about the program and hear from students.
Students have the benefit of working a part-time job in the automotive industry. The company pays the student’s tuition while they attend Clark to earn their certificate or degree. The partnership relies on the college’s ability to work with employers ensuring curriculum is relevant to the local industry. It’s a partnership that maximizes student success.
“This is a great opportunity for Clark students,” said Dr. Sandra Fowler-Hill, Interim President of Clark College. “Working strategically with our industry partners, we can help develop the talent pipeline that will allow local companies to grow and will provide outstanding opportunities for our students to succeed.”
