Regional Automotive Center receives new Toyota certification

Tidewater Community College’s Regional Automotive Center (RAC) recently completed a two-year process that led to a new certification with Toyota Motor-Sales USA, Inc.

The Toyota T-TEN program, initially introduced at the college in 1991, was given the stamp of approval from Toyota representatives during a certification event held March 11 at the RAC.

“We’re proud of the faculty who worked tirelessly to bring this T-TEN certification to the RAC,” said Lisa Rhine, provost of the Chesapeake Campus. “This is a great accomplishment and verifies the quality of the instructional program at this center.”

Joseph Myer, T-TEN field manager, added, “Today we’re recognizing hundreds of hours of deliberate work that went into this process. My hat is off to the faculty who did a very good job writing and adapting curriculum for the program at Tidewater.”

TCC is one of 39 T-TEN schools across the nation that have undergone a new, rigorous certification process to reflect quality standards developed by Toyota. During the process, TCC faculty members Fred Cole and Darryl Parker developed the curriculum for two courses: Engine Repair and Automatic Transmissions. In addition, they adapted curriculum written at other T-TEN schools for use at the RAC, making sure that the lectures and labs matched the vehicles in TCC’s fleet.

Rafael Reyes, technical training manager with Toyota’s Central Atlantic region, presented the certification plaque to college representatives, acknowledging the beneficial partnership that Toyota continues with TCC.

Beno Rubin, the RAC director, noted that the work accomplished for the T-TEN program will benefit all of the programs offered at the center. “It’s our goal to provide dealerships with technicians who have the high-level skills to diagnose and repair today’s high-tech vehicles,” he said.

TCC’s Automotive Technology program, accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), prepares students to become automotive technicians in the field and provides updated training for those already working. Students learn general automotive repair, servicing, and diagnostics, which include theoretical and practical training in engine overhaul, engine performance, automotive transmissions, power trains, steering and suspension, brakes, as well as electrical/electronic systems and air conditioning.