From left, Jay Minard, assistant professor in the GM-ASEP program; Sue Roche, associate dean in the Business and Technology Division; Dr. Jean Goodnow, president of Delta; Jim Miller, coordinator of automotive programs and assistant professor; and John (JP) Carroll, instructor of automotive service technology. (photo source: Delta College)

Students in an automotive program at Delta College will be able to learn new technology thanks to a donation from General Motors. GM donated three 2019 Chevrolet Silverado trucks, two 2019 GMC Sierra Denali trucks and a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox SUV to Delta in August. The vehicles will be used as learning tools for students in the General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) starting this fall. The program prepares students to become dealership technicians.

So far, GM has donated 38 vehicles to Delta. Jim Miller, GM-ASEP coordinator for Delta, said the newest donation will be especially helpful for students because the vehicles feature new technology. “We are very grateful for GM’s support of our students and their education,” said Miller. “This donation allows students aspiring to become technicians to learn the latest technology in GM vehicles, giving them a leg up before entering the workforce.”

Miller said the donated vehicles are used by ASEP students during the first five years of age for each model. The vehicles are then used by students in other Delta automotive programs before being donated to high schools or career centers.

Delta College is the first college in the nation to offer GM-ASEP training and currently has 17 students enrolled in the program. The program includes classroom and laboratory sessions on GM products, as well as work experience at a GM dealership.

In 2019, GM and Delta partnered to offer a scholarship that helps eligible ASEP students graduate debt-free with an associate’s degree. The scholarship was designed to address the growing need for highly trained automotive service technicians. Read about the scholarship in Journeys magazine.