SMC Donates Vehicle to Niles Auto Tech Program

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With seemingly increasing regularity, the do-it-yourself tinkering with the family car is being relegated to the dust bin of American heritage. Modern vehicle technology is just too complicated for most of us, meaning we’re at the mercy of skilled tradesmen who stay on top of technology through ongoing training. Fortunately for the mechanics and vehicle technicians of the future, there are generous opportunities to keep those skills sharpened.

Proof of that came this week when Southwestern Michigan College elected to donate a Subaru crossover to the Niles High School Automotive Technician Program.

Instructor Gary Kind was delighted to accept the vehicle, saying, “We are planning on using the vehicle in training our students in the NATEF (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation) area of Maintenance and Light Vehicle Repair (MLR).” Kind adds, “There are many required tasks in the course the Subaru can and will be used for. Upon completion of the required repairs and maintenance, the car will be sold, with proceeds going to benefit our program.”

SMC instructor Jeff Robson said the college owns a number of vehicles for students to work on and perform various tasks.

Robson notes that as the automotive industry and technology change, “We try to stay current with the newer technologies and purchase vehicles through grants or accept vehicles as donations that would work for this purpose.” He says, “Recently, through a Perkins Fund grant, we were able to purchase five newer vehicles — within 10 years old — to replace some of these older vehicles used for the program.”

Fortunately for everyone involved, Robson says, “We also recently received five donated vehicles from the community for use in the program.” He adds, “Depending on the condition and technology on the vehicle determines how we will use it and how long we want to keep them. Many are used to remove transmissions or engines as practical procedures or perform other brake, suspensions or electrical tasks.

NATEF certification requires learning procedures which SMC operates under, according to Robson, who notes, “Over time, these vehicles no longer are current or work for these tasks and we look for ways to help other automotive programs with the cost and expense of these vehicles to work on.”

Robson’s reasoning is solid, as he tells us, “The high schools are great feeders for our program since most high school programs today are only certified through NATEF to teach MLR and not to teach all areas of automotive diagnosis and repair, like we are.”

Recognizing that, “Many programs are minimal and money is tight for purchase of equipment, tools and vehicles for demonstration and repair,” Robson says, “These older vehicles we donate work well for students to perform any needed minor repairs and maintenance and can assist them with purchase of other needed equipment or tools for their program when they dispose or sell the vehicle.”

Robson said SMC owns four other older vehicles.

Niles High will not be the only recipient of SMC’s largesse. Robson says, “We are approaching other programs to see if they are interested in a donation as well.” He adds, “If no one is interested in the vehicles, they will be scrapped for salvage value after any components are removed that we may be able to use in our program.”

In the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com, Gary Kind is flanked by SMC Automotive Instructors Enrique Reyes (l) and Jeff Robson (r). Photo courtesy of SMC.