Del Tech to expand automotive education

Delaware Technical Community College is set to build a new, state-of-the-art Automotive Center of Excellence with help from a $1.97 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Administration, and contributions from local business and stakeholders.

The 13,500-square-foot facility will feature two classrooms, two training offices and other offices and will offer the newest in technology to help provide a premier education, job training, and the tools required to succeed in specialized automotive fields. Officials cited the need for automotive technicians and diesel technicians in the region, as well as the need for technicians to service the increasing level of specialized technology for low-emissions vehicles as the primary reasons for creating the new center.

 Del Tech President Mark Brainard said he has been working with U.S. Sen. Tom Carper on the project for nearly two years. 

“We worked together to anticipate and respond to the workforce needs of our citizens, and with the support of Sen. Carper, the EDA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, various dignitaries, business owners and our community over many months. It is our honor to be able to announce this beneficial addition to our college,” he said. “This new facility will not only be state-of-the-art, but will allow us to double the amount of auto technicians in our program and add 15 diesel mechanics a year. Both job titles are desperately needed within our community and yield high paying positions.”

Local businesses, organizations, individuals and the state of Delaware helped raise the $300,000 match required to complete the grant. 

“One of the most important things we need to do to continue to grow our economy is to make sure we are providing hard-working Delawareans the training they need to fill the jobs of tomorrow. I’ve been fighting for this critical funding since I heard concerns, and I am thrilled that we have finally secured what will be a direct investment in the First State’s future,” Carper said.

“We have an obligation to seize on this clear opportunity and make sure that technicians are trained and certified to adapt and fill these good-paying jobs,” Carper said, noting the new center will create jobs, strengthen our economy, and invest in the future of Delaware workers. 

Regional Director of the U.S. Economic Development Administration Linda Cruz-Carnall said, “I applaud Del Tech and its stakeholders, as well as all who have been invested in this program both physically and financially. We are committed to providing assistance through our grassroots approach to long-term economic and sustainable development in communities that allow us to take control of our future, especially in such an important field.”

“We need to continue to move this nation forward,” she said.

Director of Sussex County Economic Development Bill Pfaff said, “A need was identified, and Del Tech heard the call and answered in big way. Expanding and adding more life to this essential program is so important to creating a qualified workforce to make a direct impact in our local economy; and this is economic development at it’s finest.” “All of our local businesses were presented with this opportunity, and were inspired to help contribute the required $300,000 in just two months. We are doubling the capacity, for an industry that needs technicians now. This advancement will be a model for the country to look at moving forward,” said Terry Megee, president of Floyd A. Megee Motor Company.

Following the event, those gathered were treated to seeing the blueprint plans as well as Brainard opening the bay doors to show the future site of the Automotive Center of Excellence which will grace Delaware Technical Community College’s campus in the near future.

In addition to state funds, donors included Sussex County Council, Floyd A. Megee Motor Company, i.g. Burton & Company, Preston Auto Group, the Rural Development Sector of the USDA, Winner Automotive Group, Carman Auto Group, First State Chevrolet, Wills Ford, Chevrolet of Dover, Matt Slap Subaru, The Volvo Group, AutoTeam Delaware, Bumpers and Company, Matt Kehoe, Meineke of Lewes, Nancy Jo and William Pepper, and the Delaware Automobile and Trucker Dealer’s Association.The National Automotive Dealers Association also contributed support and recognized the growing need for technicians in Delaware and across the country.

In January 2019, the National Automobile Dealers Association Foundation will launch a large-scale workforce initiative to promote career opportunities at car and truck dealerships, especially addressing the shortage of skilled service technicians in both the automotive and commercial-truck industry. The initiative will include a new website, videos, blogs, photos, digital and social media content.
“Local dealerships provide more than 1 million well-paying jobs in sales, management and service, which benefit communities everywhere,” said NADA Foundation Chair Annette Sykora of Levelland, Texas. “And the future of our industry is the dealership workforce. Considering the shortages that dealerships now face, especially in recruiting, training and retaining technicians, the time is now for the NADA Foundation to educate America on the value of these jobs to students, parents, educators, workers and local communities.”