Technical center receives donation from local car dealer
By MICHAEL ERB
POSTED: March 19, 2008
PARKERSBURG — A donation by a local car dealership will help train future technicians now attending school at The Wood County Technical Center.
Last month the school received a Chief EZ Liner 25 frame-straightening machine from Superior Toyota Hyundai of Parkersburg. The machine is like those used in actual car repair and will enable students to learn first-hand some of the most cutting-edge techniques used in vehicle repair.
“One of our goals at the Wood County Technical Center is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in the 21st century,” said director Doug Kiger. “To provide equipment and technology at the technical center that is the same caliber of that being used in today’s companies requires thousands of dollars each year. This money does not come from local school allocations, but from the state and federal funding under the Carl Perkins Act. Every time local business steps up to the plate such as Superior did with this equipment, it given us an opportunity to upgrade and improve other programs located not only at the technical center, but also the Caperton Center and programs at all three high schools.”
Kiger said the technology donated by these companies pays back to the community by allowing the center to produce better-prepared workers in the future.
“By sending students out better prepared because of equipment meeting industry standards, it’s a win win for both the students and the business,” he said.
Jeff Bosley of Bosley Rental and Supply and Mike Creel of Tri-City Towing and Recovery were instrumental in moving the equipment from Superior to the technical center. Member of both Toyota and the Program Advisory Board were on-hand at the Collision Repair Lab when the new piece of equipment was unveiled. Those present included A.C. Hamrick of Toyota, Red Monroe of State Farm, instructor Rodney Northrop, T.R. Hathaway of Toyota, Ash Broadwater of Carquest of Parkersburg and Craig Wallace of Toyota.
This is the first year for the Collision Repair program at the Wood County Technical Center. Along with the businesses mentioned above, Dick’s Automotive, Auto Body Panels of W.Va., Action Crash, Sayers Towing, McClinton Chevrolet and many other related businesses in the Mid-Ohio Valley help the program.
