Donors help GTC program stay current with industry needs

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The auto body repair program at Greenville Tech has up-to-date paint booths after several Greenville organizations pitched in to purchase the equipment.

Gifts by John I. Smith Charities, Fairway Automotive Group, The Smith Insurance Agency, and Jackson Marketing Motorsports Events enabled the program to replace two aging and obsolete down draft paint booths with industry-current, state-of-the-art paint booths where students gain the hands-on skills to succeed in the collision repair industry, according to a news release.

The college purchased the new equipment with a lead gift by John I. Smith. Gifts by Fairway Automotive Group, The Smith Insurance Agency, and Jackson Marketing Motorsports Events allowed for purchase of a required fire suppression system that supports the new booths.

 “I believe that donations to Greenville Tech help individuals develop their potential, provide businesses with a well-trained workforce, and contribute to the overall quality of life in the Upstate,” Elizabeth Clayton of John I. Smith Charities said in the news release.

The auto body repair program at Greenville Technical College has a 100% placement rate for graduates.

The program is taught at the McKinney Regional Automotive Technology Center. The facility includes 19 multi-media classrooms, computer labs, offices and teaching facilities for the auto body repair, automotive technology and diesel equipment technology programs along with educational partnership programs with General Motors and Honda.

“These generous gifts ensure that when our students complete the program, they are ready to use comparable equipment in their new jobs from the first day of employment,” Ann Wright, vice president for advancement with the Greenville Tech Foundation, said in the release. “When donors come alongside us to impact our ability to provide the highest quality education, students receive the best job preparation, employers meet their workforce needs, and the entire community benefits.”