Earlier this month, members of Team Servco, Leeward Community College (Leeward CC), and the surrounding community gathered at the Automotive Technology Complex to commemorate the grand opening ceremony of the Toyota-Technical Education Program (T-TEP).
Leeward CC Automotive Technology students, instructors, and dignitaries celebrated this new partnership with Toyota Hawaii with an award presentation, followed by good food, music, and conversation amongst the guests.
Through the partnership, Toyota Hawaii will donate over $80,000 worth of training aids to Leeward CC’s
Automotive Technology program in the first year, with additional equipment to be added each following year. Training aids included valuable materials like a signal generator, wheel balance, electricity master, and other simulators that will allow students to learn the necessary skills to become proficient automotive technicians.
Additionally, students at Leeward CC will be eligible for a T-TEP scholarship, which provides a full scholarship for the student’s remaining college education, a $2,000 tool kit, and part-time employment with Toyota Hawaii as a Technician Apprentice.
“We’d like to extend a sincere mahalo to Toyota Hawaii for this exciting partnership,” said Manny Cabral, chancellor of Leeward CC. “The high-level training opportunities, valuable student scholarships, and generous donation of training tools will further enhance our Automotive Technology Program.”
First started at Honolulu Community College in 1991, T-TEP has expanded to Leeward CC as it’s second location. The program is supported by Toyota Motor Corporation and Servco. Since its initiation, the program has supported 47 students to graduation, with nearly half currently employed with Toyota Hawaii dealerships.
“We are looking forward to a long-term relationship with Leeward CC,” said Glenn Inouye, senior vice president of Servco, representing Toyota Hawaii. “Not only do the students receive high-quality training and learning opportunities, but we receive high-quality automotive technicians as a result so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
Mahalo to Leeward Automotive Technology Program Coordinator, Milton Ayakawa, who Toyota Hawaii has worked directly with throughout the partnership. And a special shout out to Mark Lacasandile and Nolan Miyahira, both recent Toyota Master Technicians at Servco, who will be two of Leeward CC’s program instructors. Toyota Hawaii is confident they will be great assets to the program!