Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, was named the “2013 Technical School of the Year” by Tomorrow’s Tech magazine and Wix Filters.
“I receive phone calls every week from dealers, manufacturers and the aftermarket industry in search of technicians trained in the advanced technologies required to service today’s high-tech, complex vehicle systems,” said Justin Morgan, chairman of the automotive technology program at Sinclair Community College.
“Hybrid and alternative fuel systems require a different way of thinking and that’s where the automotive training program at Sinclair Community College excels,” he said. “We provide hands-on, certified automotive training designed to ensure skilled entry-level positions with a high-paying career path. There is a very bright future ahead for the next generation of automotive technicians and we are very humbled that our efforts in this area have been recognized by the national School of the Year program.”
In its sixth year, the School of the Year program is a way to recognize the best technician training school in the county. Wix and O’Reilly Auto Parts are title sponsors of the national award in conjunction with Tomorrow’s Tech, a Babcox Media publication dedicated to automotive students.
As the 2013 School of the Year, Sinclair Community College’s automotive program received $2,500 from Wix Filters; professional automotive tool set and $250 from O’Reilly Auto Parts; and O’Reilly and Wix Filters merchandise. In addition, the school’s instructor will attend a Babcox Media recognition dinner at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in November.
“As a longtime supporter of technician education, it is encouraging to see schools like Sinclair Community College focused on student outcomes that benefit an entire industry,” said Mike Harvey, brand manager for Wix Filters. “The ‘School of the Year’ program is a great opportunity for technical schools nationwide to gain exposure for their programs and recognition for their efforts in training the next generation of highly skilled technicians.”
The School of the Year program is open to all high schools or post-secondary schools that have a subscription to Tomorrow’s Tech. Of the 158 entries for the 2013 contest, 60 were from different high schools, technical schools and colleges.
Twenty schools were asked to submit a video highlighting their technical programs in September, for judges to review.
This year’s three runners-up are Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center, Choctaw, Okla.; Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon, Iowa; and Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah. Each runner-up will receive a professional automotive tool set and $250 gift card from O’Reilly Auto Parts.
