WCC Provides Training for High School Automotive Teachers, Local Technicians

In June, more than 30 high school automotive instructors from across North Carolina attended a training conference at WCC.

The 18th annual conference offered free update training for the high school instructors to enhance their students’ classroom experiences. It provided 20 hours of training over the two-day event, which was held at WCC’s Deacon Jones Automotive Center.

The instructors received hands-on training with Hunter Engineering equipment and attended sessions about vehicle exterior care, engine performance diagnosis, and General Motors (GM) electric vehicle transmissions.

The event also featured a Career and Technical Education (CTE) networking session, where the instructors learned about the College’s Career Services department and the CTE pathways available to high school students through WCC’s Career and College Promise dual-enrollment program.

In addition to customized training, the event allowed high school instructors to learn more about WCC’s Automotive Systems Technology and Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology programs, sharing the educational opportunities with their students.

“This conference is one of our greatest recruiting tools,” said WCC Transportation Department Chair Kevin Jordan.

When the annual training began almost two decades ago, it started with less than 10 local instructors and has grown to include many more individuals from across the state. It allows them to network with their peers, participate in professional development, and connect with former students who are now enrolled in WCC’s automotive courses.

This summer, the College also held another training session for nearly 30 GM Certified Service Technicians from local dealerships.

WCC instructors and GM field service engineers led training on the PicoScope oscilloscope, a tool used to aid in diagnosing complex electrical issues in high-tech vehicles. The technicians in attendance received classroom instruction and hands-on training with the equipment in the automotive shop.

This is the second training course WCC has offered on this equipment for GM technicians this year, strengthening the decades-long partnership between the College and GM.

With multiple events held throughout the year, WCC’s automotive training opportunities reinforce the College’s efforts to meet the training needs of the communities it serves.