ECTC enhances training through Toyota’s TECS Elite program
Published on Nov 28, 2023
Automotive technology instruction at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) will include new offerings in January through Toyota’s T-TEN (Technician Training and Education Network) as a designated Technical Education College Support (TECS) Elite certified training center.
A partnership of Toyota, community colleges and vocational schools and dealerships, T-TEN is an industry-leading training program that develops factory-certified technicians, providing state-of-the-art, hands-on automotive diagnosis and repair training with an emphasis on the skills needed to excel in the automotive industry.
“Trained auto technicians are in great demand and are the key to any successful dealership,” said Joseph Myers, technician development manager for the T-TEN program at Toyota Motor North America. “We are grateful for the opportunity to expand the program’s reach with ECTC. That not only fulfills our needs, but also provides stable jobs and career security that aims to give vehicle owners the most satisfying service experience possible.”
Myers joined ECTC students, faculty and ECTC Provost Dr. Telly Sellars as well as representatives of Swope Family of Dealerships on Monday to celebrate the college’s TECS Elite designation and commitment to developing pathways to high-demand, innovative automotive careers.
“We are grateful for the partnership we have with ECTC under the leadership of Dr. Pate and Dr. Sellars. It is crucial to the ever-increasing need for auto technicians,” said Swope Family of Dealerships President Carl Swope. “A career as an automotive technician is a fruitful and rewarding life, and we’re committed to helping students get a successful start.”
There are currently 44 locations nationwide offering T-TEN training. The new partnership with Toyota allows automotive faculty to deliver online and hands-on training and provides tablet-based scan tools as well as two vehicles — a 2017 Toyota Corolla and a 2015 Lexus RC 350. T-TEN training will be incorporated into ECTC’s Computer Control Systems and Diagnosis class and lab (AUT 240 and 241).
“It makes our good program even better,” said Jerry Clemons, ECTC automotive and diesel technology program coordinator. “It also adds a layer to our partnership with the Swope network of dealerships, which has supported our program since day one.”
Sellars said the new program is a premier example of the college working with industries to provide relevant training to students, and in turn, developing the workforce that local employers need to succeed and grow.
“ECTC’s nationally recognized automotive technology program is an incredible asset to the region’s automotive industry,” Sellars said. “The addition of T-TEN proves, yet again, our faculty’s commitment to providing the best training possible in a constantly evolving industry.”
ECTC is currently enrolling for the Spring 2024 semester. Further, the automotive technology program is eligible for the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship, which provides free tuition for Kentucky residents who do not have a college degree. To learn more about starting classes, call 270-769-2371 or email ectcrecruitment@kctcs.edu.
