Thanks to 12 new Chevrolet Equinox transmissions donated by General Motors St. Catharines, Niagara College students in the Motive Power Technician program will have the chance to work on the latest and greatest in automotive technology.

On April 6, the College gratefully accepted the transmissions from Gary Athoe, plant director, GM St. Catharines, in the Green Automotive Technology Lab at the Welland Campus. The donated transmissions will be used by students in the program for hands-on learning.

“The School of Trades at Niagara College is grateful to General Motors for this generous donation and to everyone at GM for their help to get these transmissions into the hands of students,” said Jeffrey Murrell, associate dean, School of Trades. “We are always looking at new ways to innovate our curriculum to ensure our students receive the best career preparation, and GM continues to be a strong supporter of the next generation of automotive technicians.”

GM has a long history of supporting Niagara College and its students. Over the past 27 years since their first gift to the Next Century campaign in 1995, General Motors of Canada Company has donated over $500,000 towards equipment and learning resources, campus redevelopment, and scholarships and bursaries. The General Motors of Canada Scholarship assists students in various automotive/engineering programs, and the General Motors St. Catharines Propulsion Plant Bursary assists students in the Environmental Management and Assessment program.

GM has donated many vehicles and parts to the Motive Power Technician program including most recently a Chevrolet Suburban and Chevrolet Silverado. In 2014, GM supplied over 50 3.6L engines that have been used by students to hone their skills.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Niagara College. Our mutual interests in education and training are unparalleled,” said Athoe. “Many of our new team members are graduates of Niagara College and today’s donation is just one more step in our ongoing support of the College’s hands-on experiences.”

According to program coordinator Wayne Toth, the 6T60 Equinox transmissions are industry standard technology, meaning that students will graduate with the experience to service these parts in the field.

“Students will disassemble these transmissions, then analyze, diagnose and repair them to prepare for their careers in the automotive industry,” said Toth. “Automotive technology is changing at such a rapid pace, and we are grateful to be able to give our students access to the latest innovations in vehicles today to support their learning. This donation will continue to put our program at the forefront of all automotive programs.”

Niagara College has made an investment in upgrading our transmission Dyno to take the 6T60 transmissions which will allow students to test their operation once they have completed the service and reassembly of them.

Over the years, many NC students have completed their co-ops at GM dealerships across Canada, and many graduates have been hired for full-time positions.

“We are very thankful for our partnership with GM Canada and their ongoing support,” said Toth.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

GM_NC_Donation_1:  On April 6, Niagara College thanked GM St. Catharines for donating 12 new Chevrolet Equinox transmissions to the Motive Power Technician program. Photo taken outside the Green Automotive Technology lab at the Welland Campus. From L to R: Gary Athoe, plant director, GM St. Catharines, Vincent Shaikh, dean, Media, Trades & Technology, Fiona Allan, Vice-President, Academic, Jeffrey Murrell, associate dean, School of Trades, Ashley Davey, student, Motive Power Technician program, and Wayne Toth, program coordinator.

GM_NC_Donation_2: Niagara College students in the Motive Power Technician program thank GM for their donation of 12 new Chevrolet Equinox transmissions.