Levi Vestecka, a graduate of Southeast Community College’s General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program, made a presentation to SCC’s GM ASEP students during a tour of the Hamtramck Assembly plant in Detroit last year.

Vestecka, who transferred to Pittsburg (Kan.) State University and received his Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Technology in May, served an internship with GM last year. In June he began working full-time for GM as a service parts engineer in Michigan.

Vestecka graduated from SCC’s GM ASEP program in September 2011.

Mark Christensen, instructor in SCC’s program, said fellow instructor Jon Kisby and GM ASEP students were able to meet with Vestecka at the Hamtramck plant, where Chevrolet Volt, Impala and Malibu are built. During the visit, Vestecka talked to GM ASEP students about his education at PSU and how the GM ASEP program at SCC prepared him.

“Levi has wonderful ambitions and is not afraid to take the initiative to do things that need done and to take on leadership roles,” Christensen said. “I had known for several years that students graduating from a NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)-certified two-year program could transfer to Pittsburg State, and even though I had communicated this opportunity to numerous students, Levi is the first to have taken this opportunity. I am proud of him for taking that initiative as well.”

GM ASEP students in their final quarter of their SCC program embark on a week-long field trip to Detroit, Flint and Saginaw, Mich., areas to visit and tour numerous General Motors facilities.

“Levi was provided the morning off from his internship duties with GM to tour with our group and to visit with them about what a Nebraska kid was doing in Detroit,” Christensen said. “He spoke to our students about automotive career opportunities through Pittsburg State University.”

Vestecka told SCC students that having graduated from a NATEF-certified program allowed him to enroll at PSU as a junior status. During his time at PSU, Vestecka was a Student Ambassador for the university.

“He described some of his experiences with General Motors, including engine testing in Flint, proving grounds in Milford (Michigan), and working at the GM Tech Center and GM Service Garage in Warren outside Detroit,” Christensen said. “Levi really connected with our ASEP students, not only on a cognitive level, but on a ‘wrench-turning’ level. He drove his own personal vehicle (a 1999 Firebird/LS1) to the assembly plant. As our students gathered around Levi’s vehicle, it spoke volumes to our students about the potential they all possess regarding their future in the automotive industry.”

As current automotive technicians, engineers and brand quality managers begin to retire, Christensen said a pool of experienced and qualified people must be trained to fill those positions and keep the industry strong.

“I believe PSU is instrumental in preparing students for those corporate positions on a foundation of work experience in the automotive repair field like the GM ASEP program,” Christensen said.

Persons interested in SCC’s GM ASEP program, which is taught on the Milford Campus, are asked to contact Rick Morphew, program chair, at 402-761-8317.