Automobile Technologies students from Questar III’s Columbia-Greene Educational Center received a tour of Goldstein Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Latham.
The tour provided the students with information about how the dealership functions, as well as an explanation about Hudson Valley Community College’s Automotive Chrysler College Automotive Program (CAP).
CAP provides HVCC students with an opportunity to combine classroom education with real world experience at a Chrysler dealership. The program’s curriculum is designed for students to spend the first weeks of each semester at HVCC taking courses, including a Chrysler training course. Students then apply what they learned in class in a dealership setting.
CAP students maintain full-time status at HVCC and are paid for their work at the dealership. Students who pursue a degree in CAP have an opportunity to earn $9,600 per year while in school. Their experience from working at a dealership also allows them to gain cutting-edge automotive training.
The tour was facilitated by Kasya Purtell, HVCC’S CAP coordinator, Ed Serian, General Manager at Goldstein Chrysler, Auto Technologies Instructors Gerry Smith and Ed Luther, and Mary Andrus and Dennis DiDonato, Questar III’s Work Based Learning Coordinators.
“I hope this can be the beginning of a career pathway for our students,” said DiDonato, “It represents the ideal CTE program, post-secondary education and business-employment connection.” DiDonato learned about the CAPS program through Auto Services Program instructor Jason Hallenbeck. Armory Garage in Albany, which serves on the Auto Services consultant committee, currently employs two of Hallenbeck’s graduates.
Questar III works with 180 local business leaders through its consultant advisory committees. These volunteers advise Questar III on curriculum, trends and technologies in their fields. This process allows the organization to be responsive to school, economic and workforce needs. More importantly, it helps to ensure that career and technical education students have the knowledge and credentials needed for success in their chosen fields.
The dealership provided refreshments and gave away Jeep merchandise such as hats, cups and key chains to the students. DiDonato said, “Goldstein’s and Ed Serian were wonderful hosts and we are appreciative of their hospitality.”
The group will be touring Armory Garage in Albany later this month to visit another location participating in the CAPS program.
