Six VGCC Automotive Students Earn Certification

Three Vance-Granville Community College students in the day Automotive Systems Technology program and three in the evening program recently earned certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).In May 2006, Vance-Granville’s automotive program was recertified by NATEF and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), indicating that the program continues to meet high national standards. Students who complete VGCC’s automotive program are assured that their training is current, complete and applicable to the automotive industry.The latest students who have gained NATEF certification in the day-time program are Martes Thompson and Lamont Hinton, both of Henderson, and Lamont Hinton from Kittrell Job Corps in Vance County. Evening students who earned NATEF certification are Michael Rice of Henderson, Derek Frazier of Louisburg and Travis Parker of Butner.Upon completion of the one-year VGCC program, students are prepared to take the ASE exam and are ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops in the automotive industry. Fred Brewer, VGCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program head and instructor, said the six students recently certified are all prepared to enter the workplace and should become excellent automotive technicians.Brewer reported that spaces are still available for anyone interested in enrolling in the Automotive Systems Technology program in the spring 2007 semester. Potential students should contact Brewer at (252) 492-2061, ext. 3204.Pictured above: From left, evening automotive instructor Jeff Coleman of Norlina poses with newly certified students in the evening program, Michael Rice of Henderson, Derek Frazier of Louisburg and Travis Parker of Butner, and program head Fred Brewer. (VGCC Photo)