Oklahoma’s Technology Centers receiving the vehicles are: Autry Tech, Enid; Canadian Valley, El Reno; Eastern Oklahoma County, Choctaw; Francis Tuttle, Okla. City; Gordon Cooper, Shawnee; Great Plains, Lawton; Indian Capitol, Muskogee; Kiamichi, McAlester; Meridian, Stillwater; Mid-Del, Metro Tech, Okla. City; Midwest City; Moore Norman; Northeast, South Campus; Pioneer, Ponca City; Southwest, Altus; Tri County, Bartlesville; and Tulsa Tech, Broken Arrow and Lemley campuses.

“This is another great example of a successful partnership between business, industry and education for students and the future workforce,” said Dr. Phil Berkenbile, CareerTech state director. “We really appreciate GM, again as a partner, in this effort of providing top-of-the-line vehicles and equipment for training our automotive technology program students.”

The vehicles were in the General Motors Assembly Plant lot during the May 8, 2003 tornado and are part of an asset recovery, according to Tyree Minner, Plant Manager.

Earl Bailey, Automotive Service Technology Instructor at Francis Tuttle Technology Center with a donated GM car.(High Res Image)

Envoys and Trailblazers lined up and ready to go to technology centers across Oklahoma. (High Res Image)

With a partnership between General Motors and the CareerTech system that spans decades, the decision of the Oklahoma City GM plant to donate approximately $800,000 worth of vehicles to the CareerTech system was easy, according to Bob Slovey. Slovey is the Automotive Service Educational Program and Automotive Youth Educational Services Program (ASEP/AYES) national manager.

“We know how important these resources are to the training programs. Without them it is just not possible to offer a quality curriculum or learning environment for our future auto technician labor pool,” said Slovey.

General Motors has a track record of contributing to training programs that are preparing future service technicians in Oklahoma and across the country, thanks to another partnership with Gifts in Kind International.

“GM’s partnership with Gifts In Kind International provides the platform to ensure donations like this one occur seamlessly all over the United States. The result is that young people have the required resources to pursue careers in the automotive industry,” said Robert Wells, Chair, Asset Recovery Governance Board, GM.

The long-term relationship between Oklahoma’s CareerTech system, whose mission of preparing Oklahomans to succeed in the workplace, and GM benefits both organizations.

In late 2003, GM contributed 40 engines worth $3,000 each and 80 four-cylinder engines worth $2,500 to Oklahoma AYES for re-donation within the CareerTech system, according to Matt Boyles, Oklahoma AYES State Manager.

General Motors, in concert with the CareerTech system, launched a significant initiative in 1995 when Oklahoma’s CareerTech system was selected by GM to pilot what is now known as the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES).

Francis Tuttle students, Maegan Deese, left, and Austin Gardner, learn to diagnose a GM engine.
(High Res.Image)

“AYES is a dynamic partnership among participating automotive manufacturers and local dealers, and selected local high schools/tech schools,” Tadajewski said. “The goal is to encourage bright students with a good mechanical aptitude to pursue careers in the ever-changing fields of automotive service technology or collision repair/refinish, and to prepare them for entry-level positions or challenging academic options.”

Since AYES was founded by General Motors, 12 other automobile manufacturers have partnered supporting AYES, including Audi, BMW, Daimler Chrysler, Honda, Hyundai, KIA, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen.

The initial launch of the AYES program took place at Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City, quickly followed by four more technology centers. The program, recognized today as a national model, serves 19 of 29 technology centers in Oklahoma and across 45 states.