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VGCC Automotive students complete Work-Based Learning program

The Automotive Systems Technology department at Vance-Granville Community College recently recognized its first students to participate in the Work-Based Learning (WBL) program since the college expanded automotive training to a two-year degree program .

WBL allows a student to gain relevant, resume-building experience with an employer, while also earning academic credit that counts toward a degree. Many VGCC programs include WBL courses, either as a requirement or as an elective, as in the case of Automotive Systems Technology. WBL usually takes the form of a paid internship.

During the spring semester, five Automotive students completed such internship experiences. Ryan Anastasi of Wake Forest worked with Johnson Lexus in Raleigh as a service technician. John Stallings of Warrenton worked at Lynch's Auto Repair in his hometown as a service technician, installing and removing transmissions. Chandler Owen of Henderson was a service technician with Valvoline Express Care in Oxford. Latrell Smith of Louisburg, who went on to graduate at the end of the semester, worked as a parts associate at Auto Zone in Louisburg, helping customers at the counter with parts needs. Brad Cockram of Youngsville completed his WBL experience with Chris Leith Dodge of Wake Forest as a service technician.

Fred Brewer, VGCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program head and instructor, praised the students and concluded that his department’s experience with WBL has been a success. “I believe in this program, in part because I did something similar myself when I was a student,” Brewer said.

“Through WBL, my students get paying jobs, and they earn course credits for the work done on the job. They would typically be in school for half a day and then work for half a day.”

As part of the program, Brewer interviewed the supervisors at the students’ job sites. All of their supervisors gave them high marks, he said.

VGCC offers a two-year degree and a one-year diploma in Automotive Systems Technology, in addition to certificates focusing on Electrical Systems and Suspension & Steering. The program is accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). For more information about the Automotive program , contact Fred Brewer at (252) 738-3204.

For more information about Work-Based Learning , as a student or as an employer, call Linda Fletcher at (252) 738-3466 or visit the Career Center in room 1358 on Main Campus.

 

Above: In front, from left, VGCC Automotive Systems Technology students Josh Stallings of Warrenton, Chandler Owen of Henderson, Latrell Smith of Louisburg and Ryan Anastasi of Wake Forest; in back, from left, VGCC Director of Academic and Career Assessment Linda Fletcher, student Brad Cockram and VGCC Automotive Systems Technology program head Fred Brewer. (VGCC Photo)