As America’s automotive industry continues to revive, momentum is building to provide skilled and qualified workers. OSU Institute of Technology has received a generous donation from General Motors, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers.

GM has donated several vehicles to OSUIT’s Automotive Technologies Division. Among those are a 2013 Cadillac CTS and five Chevrolet vehicles, including a 2014 Silverado 1500, 2013 Malibu, 2013 Impala, 2013 Traverse and a 2013 Silverado 2500 Duramax Diesel. The vehicles will be used to train OSUIT students enrolled in GM’s Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP).

“GM vehicles continue to be increasingly more complex,” said Rick Jackson, manager for GM ASEP. “This requires highly trained technicians to maintain and repair these vehicles. Vehicle donations are critical to training the next generation of technicians.”

GM has a commitment not only to its customers, but also to training those who will keep vehicles safe and on the road, which means partnering with schools and universities with automotive programs, Jackson said.

“OSUIT plays an important role in helping the auto industry fill a critical need: developing and retaining skilled automotive technicians,” said Bill Voorhees, OSUIT’s Automotive Technologies Division chair. “This generous donation from GM enables us to deliver the highest quality education to our students.”

The availability of qualified, trained automotive technicians is a critical area of importance for the automotive industry, and vehicle donations to training programs are pivotal in addressing that growing need.

“Automotive technicians are in high demand in today’s marketplace,” said Diana Sancya, manager for GM Service Technical College. “Through the GM donation program, we have a significant opportunity to ensure that GM dealers can employ the best trained technicians possible.”