In November, Vancouver Community College (VCC) was thrilled to accept a generous donation from NAPA Auto Parts, worth nearly $200,000 in tools and electric vehicles (EVs). This state-of-the-art equipment will enhance real world learning opportunities for VCC Automotive Technician students and help pave the way for an exciting new chapter at the college.
Pictured: Yves Racette (Napa Auto Parts), Ajay Patel and Brett Griffiths (VCC)
NAPA's donation includes a 2021 Tesla Model 3, a 2019 Nissan Leaf, and a 2022 Hyundai Ionic 5, toolboxes and high-end Autel automotive diagnostic tools.
"I know the value of education in automotive trades," said Yves Racette, Director of Program Development at NAPA, whose own career started with a Red Seal in Automotive Services. "That's why we are so excited to support VCC students with this donation. The industry is quickly changing and if students can stay ahead of the curve by working on new cars with the latest tools, there is a lot of opportunity for them on the horizon."
VCC's Automotive Service Technician programs will move to VCC's new Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation (CCEAI) once it opens, a change that coincides with the leap forward in the automotive industry.
"The auto industry is undergoing a big shift with a generation of workers retiring and new technology replacing older vehicles," said Brett Griffiths, VCC Dean of Trades, Technology and Design (on secondment for CCEAI IPT). "That's why we are grateful to build partnerships with companies like NAPA Auto Parts they're at the forefront of advances in technology and tools, and a donation like this shows the pipeline from classroom to industry that VCC offers."
