DALLAS—Brookhaven College welcomes Subaru of America as our newest automotive technology training partner. The new partnership allows Brookhaven automotive students to obtain Subaru level 1 and 2 factory certifications, which adds to their opportunities to get a job. Students can start enrolling this fall.
"They knew our program and our reputation. We already have students in some Subaru stores," said David McNabb, lead faculty, automotive technology. "We are excited to be teamed up with them."
Brookhaven is the first college in DFW selected to pilot the Subaru University program. This partnership grants the students and school access to factory service information, special tools and makes Brookhaven College eligible for vehicle donations from Subaru.
McNabb commented that Subaru's reputation for quality and reliability, and their multigenerational following makes the brand popular with young people as well.
"This is a real draw for high school recruiting and rounds out our program. It increases our program visibility and attractiveness," McNabb said.
The Subaru-U program builds relationships between Subaru of America, dealers, and NATEF/AYES accredited schools to provide students with specialized Subaru vehicle systems training to better prepare them for potential employment with one of approximately 600 Subaru retailers nationwide, according to the Subaru-U website.
"We selected Brookhaven College, in part because of its location in relation to our retailer network in the Dallas/Fort Worth area," said Chris Weigel, technical training education manager for Subaru. "We hope to foster a long-term relationship between Brookhaven College and our local retailers to meet our growing need for technicians, as we are the fastest growing brand in the industry."
Weigel said he is excited to work with Brookhaven and hopes as students complete the theory-based training, they utilize the opportunities they gain in the industry for future employment.
Subaru approached Brookhaven in February, with contact, site visit on campus and wrapping up a final agreement all in a single day.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the demand for qualified automotive service technicians and mechanics needed nationwide will rise to approximately 795,000 by the year 2026, a 6 percent increase from 2016-2026.
The automotive program at Brookhaven is NATEF certified with a 100 percent job placement rate for graduates. The comprehensive automotive technician program currently has 120 students enrolled in day and night classes. Subaru is the latest addition to the college's partners including GM, Ford and Nissan.