Advance Auto Parts Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Advance Auto Parts, Inc., announced a $125,000 gift to Durham Tech Foundation aimed at providing financial support to Durham Tech Community College’s automotive systems technology program.
The Durham Technical Community College gift stands as the Advance Auto Parts Foundation’s fourth gift to a community college to support the expansion of automotive technology degree programs.
Starting this fall, the Advance Auto Parts Foundation’s gift will help five students enrolling in the automotive systems technology program by funding $3,000 scholarships for each student to offset educational expenses. The funds will also be used to purchase toolkits and laptops with training software to loan out to students who need them.
In addition, the gift will provide for the purchase and/or lease of other training technologies and equipment to upgrade classrooms and help facilitate student learning. Finally, a portion of the gift will fund the creation and implementation of a paid apprenticeship program with a local repair shop that will provide students with hands-on job experience to build skills and make a direct connection with a local employer, the Advance Auto Parts Foundation said.
“The Advance Auto Parts Foundation is committed to raising awareness, attracting talent and enabling career opportunities in the automotive technology field,” said Elisabeth Eisleben, president, Advance Auto Parts Foundation. “By providing resources and support to Durham Technical Community College, we hope to enhance the student learning experience, as well as inspire students from all backgrounds to explore careers in automotive service and repair. We believe this will help address the technician shortage and benefit our industry and society as a whole.”
Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton said the partnership will help the college in meeting growing demand for electric vehicle technicians and others in the automotive service and repair industry. “This partnership creates significant opportunity for our students and for supporting area workforce development,” Buxton said. “Durham Tech offers affordable, high-quality pathways to jobs and this scholarship will go a long way toward fully covering students’ expenses. In addition, the Advance Auto Parts Foundation’s generous support will help us keep providing talent needed for a rapidly changing industry.”
For more information, visit www.durhamtech.edu.
