News

When Ford’s Brendan Coursey travels the country evaluating the 41 Ford Automotive Student Service Education Training programs, he is looking for three things: student retention; dealer placement rates; and the number of certifications students earn. When he visited Southeast Community College on Wednesday, Feb. 11, he found SCC goes above and beyond in all three areas.

“SCC is a vital partner because they share our commitment to closing the technician shortage and adapting to the industry’s shift toward advanced vehicle technology,” said Coursey, the Ford ASSET Coordinator. “They consistently measure up by maintaining strong ties with local dealers and a high level of student engagement. Their graduates stand out because they enter the workforce with up to 100% of Ford Service Technician Specialty Training certifications, making them shop-ready on day one thanks to two-years of rotating between hands-on dealership experience and classroom learning.”

The program’s structure alternates between eight weeks in the classroom and eight weeks working directly at a Ford dealership. Coursey attributes this success to the faculty, particularly Mark Berggren and Tim McClain, and their ability to keep up with the fast-changing automotive industry. Their dedication to excellence prepares every student to represent the Ford brand at the highest level after they graduate and enter the workforce.

“Mark and Tim are Ford-certified instructors who don’t just teach theory, they bring decades of real-world dealership experience to the classroom,” Coursey explained. “They are excellent examples of proactivity in strengthening the program through top tier recruiting activities and emphasis on high-quality, positive student outcomes. Ford is incredibly lucky to have them training the next generation.”

In return, Berggren believes SCC students benefit greatly from the partnership with Ford.

“The partnership with the Ford Motor Company is essential to the success of the Ford ASSET program at SCC,” Berggren said. “Students in our program gain several advantages that help prepare them for successful careers as automotive technicians. The combination of classroom instruction and dealership experience helps students graduate with valuable skills, industry experience, and strong employment opportunities.”

Coursey was also impressed with the investment SCC has placed in its labs and classrooms. The lab spaces feature the latest diagnostic tools and a fleet of modern Ford vehicles, including integrating the latest in the Electric Vehicle technology.

“SCC’s facilities are top tier and rival any program in the country,” Coursey said. “Their ability to seamlessly integrate our latest vehicle donations and specialized Ford tools in their labs Is a model for other programs.”

Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu