Hampton Roads, Va. – Tidewater Community College is adding Ford Motor Company’s Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) program for their manufacturer-specific training.
The program is sponsored by 19 local Ford dealerships and begins in the fall at the college’s Regional Automotive Center in Chesapeake.
The ASSET program is the only one of its kind in Virginia. The closest programs are in Jamestown, North Carolina and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Ford expanded the program because of the growing need for trained Ford and Lincoln technicians in Hampton Roads, Richmond and North Carolina Dealerships.
“This is the first ASSET program Ford has added in six years,” said Lisa Rhine, provost of TCC’s Chesapeake Campus. “We are proud to partner with Ford to offer this innovative and much-needed program.”
Students will learn on Ford and Lincoln vehicles using Ford-specific technology. Students will complete cooperative education courses in a sponsoring dealership.
Those who complete the program will earn an associate degree as well as Ford factory training credentials, which certifies their skills to perform warranty work at a dealership.
“This is an avenue to a job with one of the top car brands,” said Beno Rubin, director of the Regional Automotive Center. “Graduates are well prepared to work as Ford and Lincoln automotive technicians, with opportunities for advancement to shop foreman and other positions.”
Ford dealerships from Elizabeth City, N.C., to Richmond are supporting the program by donating vehicles, offering cooperative education sponsorships and serving on the program advisory committee.
Enrollment is now open for Ford ASSET. Interested student should first apply to TCC and then contact Steve Whitney, Ford ASSET instructor, at 757-822-5080 or swhitney@tcc.edu. Scholarships and financial aid are available. The program is eligible for the GI Bill.
TCC offers three more manufacturer training programs: Honda Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT); Mopar Career Automotive Program (Mopar CAP) for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT; and Toyota Technician Training and Education Network (T-TEN).
