Joel DuPlessis photo Kenneth Logan and Alex Stewart, both in eight-week apprenticeship programs, take a break by a Lexus donated by Toyota Canada in the Transportation Technology Centre.

A recent $50,000 donation to the Transportation Technology Centre is one of many that allow automotive students to train in a facility that would be the envy of any gear-head.

“It’s a state-of-the-art facility,” said Dan McKenna, president of Donnelly Ford Lincoln. “When they go through it they get a sense of a modern dealership.”

The latest contribution came Jan. 8, from local dealers: Jim Keay Ford Lincoln, Donnelly Ford Lincoln and the Ontario Trust for Student Support. The funds will be used for eight student bursaries this winter in the motive power technician program, among other things.

To date, $825,000 has been raised from sources like this.

“Our goal is to receive donations from each manufacture,” said Brenda Rothwell, executive director of the Algonquin College Foundation.

Members of the Ottawa New Car Dealers Association such as West Ottawa Hyundai, Nissan Canada, Ford dealers and Toyota Canada have contributed financially to the program.

“I think it allows for top-notch facilities and better equipment for students to learn from,” said Jason Keay, co-dealer of Jim Keay Ford Lincoln. “We hope they see these contributions and when it comes time for these students to graduate hopefully they’ll come knock on our door.”

By connecting with area dealers in this way, a partnership develops between Ottawa dealerships and Algonquin, said John Tapp, dean of the School of Transportation and Building Trades.

By contributing to the program, area dealers are investing in their future workforce. In turn, the college becomes attractive to applicants and when they graduate from the program, dealers are confident in the schooling received by Algonquin grads.

McKenna acknowledged that many staff and technicians currently in the industry have gone through Algonquin and this is a way of saying thank you to the community.

Located in S-building, the new facility was built from government assistance through the SuperBuild and Enhancement Funds. Algonquin received $4.8 million to build the $6.8 million facility and they are now required to pay the difference.

“We were in a 30-year-old building and now we’re entering our third year here,” said Jeremy Anderson, program coordinator. Referring to the difference in facilities he said, “it’s night and day.”

Students appreciate the opportunity to train with the high quality equipment. Kenneth Logan is currently in an eight-week apprenticeship as an automotive power technician and says everything from the tools and hoists to the cars they work on are high quality.

“It’s a great thing to support the training for the apprentices,” said Michael Davies, president of West Ottawa Hyundai and an Algonquin graduate. “It comes full circle; we hire and train apprentices, so we are helping to support those who support us.”

During his time at Algonquin, Davies admits the facilities were far less advanced, but more than adequate for the time. “Twenty years later look at the landscape,” said Davies. “There’s paint, frames, electronic components, we need this type of facility.”