Students in a Southeast Community College automotive program recently received a new training tool.

The College’s GM Automotive Service Educational Program on the Milford Campus received a 2013 Cadillac XTS from General Motors. The vehicle will be used in classes to help train skilled technicians, which is extremely critical for the automotive industry.

Rick Morphew, program chair, said partnerships such as the one SCC has with GM are vital to the industry as the demand for skilled technicians continues to increase.

“The alliance between General Motors and the ASEP program of Southeast Community College works well for both organizations,” Morphew said. “The fact that General Motors is generous enough to donate vehicles for our ASEP students to practice on is a tremendous advantage. Our ASEP students well be better trained to repair GM cars in the GM dealerships when they graduate and start their career.”

Following is a list of SCC students in the program and their sponsoring GM dealership: Marshall Vandal, Eagle Chevrolet, Buick, Chadron; Joe McGauley, Sid Dillon Chevrolet, Blair; Mitchell McMeekin, Husker Auto Group, Lincoln; Cody Newhouse, D&D Automotive & Diesel, Omaha; Alex Nickel, Friesen Chevrolet, Sutton; Bret McClure, Tom Dinsdale Chevrolet, Grand Island; Eric Goertzen, Roe Buick, Grand Island; Colton Martensen, Trade Center Automotive, Lincoln; Chris Bandt, John Kohl Auto Center, York; Dietrick Eggers, Doug Meyer Chevrolet, Shenandoah, Iowa; Andrew Olson, Sid Dillon Buick, Lincoln; Carlos Degante, Edwards Classic Chevrolet, Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Thomas Cooper, Holm Automotive, Abilene Kan.

Todd Dawn, GM ASEP and Automotive Youth Education Systems program manager, said the company is proud to support training programs that prepare the next generation of automotive technicians.

“Our commitment to our customers goes well beyond building a quality product,” Dawn said. “Our dedication to excellence starts at the training level by partnering with schools in communities around the globe to share our collective passion for the automotive industry and educate, inspire and motivate the technicians of tomorrow.”

SCC’s GM ASEP program is seven quarters in length. Students must secure a GM dealer to sponsor them during training. Students spend four quarters as a full-time student within the program on the Milford Campus and the remaining three quarters working in a GM dealership.

Since 1979, GM’s continued commitment to identify and support the GM ASEP colleges and universities has produced more than 16,000 service technicians. GM ASEP incorporates advanced automotive technical training with a strong academic foundation of math, reading and electronics, and both analytical and technical skills. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree while working and learning on the job, resulting in a solid education combined with invaluable work experience.

Anyone wishing more information about the program is asked to contact Morphew at 402-761-8317 or[email protected].