Abigail McIntosh of Chichester is a freshman student sponsored by Banks Chevrolet. She is at the dealership now on her paid internship.
Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) in Laconia is shifting a new automotive training partnership into gear this fall through its factory training partnership with Toyota USA and its T-TEN program. Students can enroll in this co-op model that alternates their time between working in a dealership and working in the classroom. In two years, and while employed by the dealer, students will earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science and official factory training that apply toward Toyota technician certifications and will likely receive a full-time job offering.
Adding the Toyota and Lexus brands to the college’s automotive program will expand opportunities for students across the region. Toyota has provided LRCC with 19 Toyota and Lexus automobiles (including 16 with model years ranging from 2013 to 2017), diagnostic and electrical equipment, engines and drivetrain units that will be used by students at LRCC. The college has had an automotive training program in place since 1979 and has partnered with General Motors and GM dealerships since 1991.
“We’re so excited about the partnership with Toyota and about the potential to bring students in from across New England and have them participate in a program with on the job training, earnings while they are in school, and a pathway to a well paying job,” says Scott Ellis who is the lead instructor for the T-TEN program and a master technician who has worked with Toyota and Lexus for more than 25 years. Ellis is aso a graduate of the T-TEN program.
Applications for the program are being accepted. Once a student is accepted, LRCC will connect with a dealership near where the student lives and after an interview process, a dealer will hire/sponsor the student during the course of his or her education. Students will spend 12 weeks on campus, and then 12 weeks at the dealership where they can apply their learning. This co-op arrangement will continue for two years and students will be employees of the dealer and be paid for their time. LRCC is one of only 36 colleges in the nation offering the Toyota T-TEN program (which stands for Toyota Technician Education Network).
“LRCC has demonstrated a passion and a capability of training students to be highly skilled service technicians for the ever increasing needs in the automotive industry. In particular, LRCC has made a tremendous commitment to the preparation for launching the program this fall. The preparation has included recruiting from a large geographical area extending into Maine and Vermont, developing and writing a curriculum focused on industry required skills, and hiring a highly qualified instructor for the T-TEN program. We look forward to seeing the program grow and students acquire rewarding careers in Toyota and Lexus dealerships,” says Joseph Myers, T-TEN field manager for Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc.
LRCC recenty expanded housing options for students who need a residence for either a full semester or for educational programs such as co-ops where they split their time between school and a work location that may be too far away for a commute. In 2016, the college opened a new student residences just a mile off campus with 40 fully furnished two and three bedroom apartments. LRCC’s student apartments offer students the choice of living in a single or double room in an apartment with ample space and a fully-equipped kitchen. Having this resource makes the Toyota T-TEN and all of LRCC’s programs accessible to students from all over New England..
For more info contact Scott Ellis at Ssellis@ccsnh.edu, 603-366-5300 or visit lrcc.edu.
Current Issue - May 2024