Toyota, one of the world’s top automakers and longtime TSTC partner, made its ad slogan, “Let’s go Places” come to life when it handed TSTC the keys to a 2015 Toyota Tacoma valued at $20,000 at a luncheon and press conference on Friday.
Gulf States Toyota, The Friedkin Group and Toyota Texas presented four trucks in all and $250,000 worth of parts to three local high schools – San Benito High School, Gladys Porter Dean High School and PSJA High School – and TSTC’s Automotive Technology program.
The giveaway is all part of Toyota’s commitment to technical education and the next generation of technicians entering the automotive service industry.
“Our goal was simple – to support future technician leaders with best-in-class technology tools in order to drive excellence in our automotive workforce,” said Laird Doran, director of Government Relations for The Friedkin Group, a consortium of automotive, adventure, hospitality and entertainment companies.
Doran handed off the Tacoma keys to Provost Stella Garcia who lauded Toyota’s continued support for technical education and for TSTC.
“Automotive Technology is a necessary and very worthy career and we as educators and industry leaders need to do a better job of promoting technical education opportunities,” said Garcia. “Labor Department data shows that job demand is in technical skills.”
To prove her point, Provost Garcia offered one of the attending high school students, San Benito High School senior Juan Hernandez, a $1000 scholarship. The SkillsUSA Automotive state gold medalist had mentioned he was considering an education at TSTC.
“This is amazing. This makes me aware of all the opportunities that are out there and getting a $1000 scholarship was great. For sure, I’m coming to TSTC now,” said Hernandez.
Also expressing gratitude today, TSTC Industrial and Manufacturing Division Director Adan Gutierrez who points out this donation will be put to good use by TSTC students and their instructors.
“TSTC is all about valuable hands-on and real-world experience. This truck and the parts donated will be used for training purposes – the diagnosis of systems in the vehicle which is equipped with the latest technology,” said Gutierrez. “We’re thankful. This donation shows Toyota’s commitment to supporting a pipeline to workforce.”
TSTC has a long standing partnership and relationship with Toyota.
“Toyota dealerships in the Valley and throughout Texas have been hiring our students for decades. You go to any Toyota dealership in South Texas and you will find TSTC graduates at work,” said Gutierrez. “Our students are fortunate to have opportunities to work for such a great company.”
Toyota made more than $350,000 worth of in-kind and cash donations today to TSTC and the participating high schools. The vehicle and parts donated to TSTC have an estimated worth over $50,000.
For more information on TSTC Automotive Technology Program or to register for TSTC go online at tstc.edu.
