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Contribution of a 2020 Ford F-150 will allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience

Automotive trades students at Okanagan College are getting a big boost for their education with the arrival of a shiny new training tool on which they can hone their skills.

Ford of Canada and Orchard Ford are donating a 2020 Ford F-150 to the College to be used by students in its automotive service training programs. The vehicle has arrived at the Kelowna campus and will be put to good use in the shop immediately, notes Dean of Trades Steve Moores.

“We are so appreciative of this wonderful donation from Ford of Canada and Orchard Ford,” said Moores. “Our students and instructors can’t wait to get working on it as a training tool. A donation like this helps to ensure our students get to learn and train on the latest technologies and parts that they’ll encounter when they step out into the industry. This F-150 is going to provide a valuable hands-on training tool for students for years to come.”

The donation is part of a nation-wide initiative in which Ford of Canada is donating a total of 95 vehicles to educational institutions across the country. These vehicles were damaged due to flooding last year and have been deemed irreparable and unable to be safely driven again. As such, Ford of Canada saw an opportunity to bring the latest in vehicle technology to some of Canada's top automotive programs. Orchard Ford has cleaned and detailed the vehicle to prepare it for this donation that will provide a hands-on learning experience for the students.

“Okanagan College is directly responsible for providing our future technicians with the professional education and experience necessary to keep our valued customers happy and on the road with their Ford vehicles!” said Trevor Pollon General Manager of Orchard Ford. “There couldn’t be a more deserving partner to be the recipient of this new F-150! The F-150 has the best of today’s cutting-edge technology features, so it will provide an excellent platform for training the students on the vehicles they will be working on in the field.”

In addition to the vehicle, Ford of Canada is also providing students and faculty in the automotive service training program with access to their online Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) training. A partnership program between Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ford dealerships and post-secondary institutions, the ACE program aims to raise awareness and increase interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry.

Courses include everything from basic vehicle system fundamentals to some of the most current and detailed vehicle systems training like electrical, Powertrain, air conditioning, and more. These courses are the same as those current Ford technicians complete to receive specialty training in dealerships.

One of the first students who will benefit from the donation and have a chance to work on the vehicle will be Automotive Service Technician Foundation Student James Midtdal.

“It is an exciting opportunity to work on a brand-new vehicle, equipped with the latest technology and innovation,” said Midtdal. “This vehicle will help us learn and understand modern vehicles, and will prepare us to enter the workforce with valuable knowledge. We both appreciate and respect the chance to use this vehicle to further our education. Thank you to Orchard Ford and Ford Motor Company of Canada very much for your donation.”

Okanagan College offers a wide array of motor vehicle trades training programs, including foundation and apprenticeship training for Automotive Service Technicians.

In 2019, the College launched a new Automotive Service Technology Diploma. Geared towards those interested in employment in the automotive industry as technicians or in managerial roles, this program provides foundational apprenticeship training followed by writing, business and management courses.

OC also offers training for Heavy Mechanical/Heavy Duty Equipment Technicians, Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians, Transport Trailer and Truck and Transport Mechanics.

Learn more about the Okanagan College Automotive Service program at www.okanagan.bc.ca/trades. Learn more about Orchard Ford at www.orchardford.com.