Hyundai donates electric vehicle to Southeastern Community College for hands-on training
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Students at Southeastern Community College now have a new opportunity to train on electric vehicle technology thanks to a donation from Hyundai Motor America.
The college’s Automotive Systems Technology program recently received a 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, along with a diagnostic scan tool, manufacturer service information and access to specialized training resources.
The fully electric vehicle arrived Aug. 9 and will be used in the college’s Electric Vehicle Certificate program to give students hands-on experience with maintenance, repairs, charging and vehicle operation.
According to Automotive Systems Technology instructor Johnny O’Connell, the donation grew out of a partnership between SCC and Hyundai that began several years ago.
O’Connell said the college started using Hyundai’s online learning management system about three years ago, allowing students to complete the same training and certifications offered to Hyundai dealership technicians.
“Students can complete all 54 modules, each having its own certification, to earn the overall Hyundai Service Technician Certification,” O’Connell explained. “Because we have regularly used the training over the past three years, we were chosen by Hyundai to receive a vehicle donation.”
The donation also gives SCC direct access to Hyundai’s manufacturer-specific service database for the first time, allowing students to work with the same technical information used in professional automotive service settings.
Michel Poirier, vice president of After Sales & Customer Experience at Hyundai Motor America, said the donation is intended to help prepare students for careers in the automotive industry.
“Hyundai Motor America is proud to support Southeastern Community College and its Automotive Systems Technology program through resources that bring today’s vehicle technology directly into the classroom and provide students with hands-on experience using the latest automotive and electric vehicle technologies,” said Poirier.
The Ioniq 5 is currently the only drivable electric vehicle available in SCC’s automotive program, according to O’Connell.
“This vehicle will be used in all of our electric vehicle program offerings,” O’Connell said. “Students will gain hands-on experience from using the vehicle in the lab to perform repairs and maintenance, and will learn how to charge the vehicle, along with how to operate the vehicle.”
Students will also have access to additional Hyundai training focused specifically on the Ioniq 5.
Those who complete SCC’s electric vehicle coursework will earn the college’s Electric Vehicle Certificate while gaining practical experience with current automotive technology.
