SFCC News:
SANTA FE — Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) announces that the U.S. Green Building Council has certified the college’s Automotive Technologies Center at the Gold Level under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New Construction rating system. The building earned 66 documented and approved points.
“SFCC is proud to have achieved LEED Gold for the Automotive Technology Center,” SFCC President Dr. Becky Rowley said. “Our students, faculty and staff have an amazing building with state-of-the-art technology classrooms and labs that will prepare our students for well-paid professional opportunities in automotive technologies. The Center furthers the college’s commitment to sustainability and energy conservation.”
SFCC’s ATC supports students with the latest in computerized diagnostic equipment and electric vehicle maintenance capabilities. The 17,500 square foot building is equipped with classrooms and spaces that emulate the automotive customer service experience of an auto dealership including parts management, inventory control, quick repairs, and beginning to end of work ticketing system.
Educational spaces include a large shop space with lifts, three specialized labs: chassis/suspension, electric and EV/hybrid engine/power train, a computer/trainer classroom, offices, and support spaces.
The Flex Lab, located off the main entry plaza, doubles as a car showroom for events and is designed to be shared with other SFCC programs. The entry/corridor features a gallery sponsored by the Santa Fe Concorso that houses automotive photographs and memorabilia. Outside, there are four Electrical Vehicle Charging stations, an entry plaza, picnic tables, visitor parking, and fenced storage for program cars. The center replaces the previous 2,000 square foot leased garage space that was quite a distance from the main campus.
Director of Automotive Technologies Julia Furry said, “We’re thrilled that our new building has achieved the LEED Gold designation. It’s fitting that the ATC will be training students to repair and maintain EV/hybrid vehicles in this space. Also, anyone can use the Chargepoint EV charging stations in front of the building (which can be found by drivers using the mobile app available at https://www.chargepoint.com/drivers/mobile/). Our students are loving taking classes in this new, spectacular, high-tech space.”
The building was not only designed to meet LEED Gold certification standards, but also to meet ASE (Automotive Service Excellence requirements).
There is a shortage of trained automotive technicians in Santa Fe and surrounding areas. The ATC responds to this industry need. The Automotive Technologies Program is designed to provide students with entry-level employment as automotive technicians. By the time students complete the program, they will earn an A.A.S in Automotive Technologies along with earning certificates in seven competency areas: Automotive Engine Repair, Auto Maintenance and Light Truck Repair, Automatic Transmission Transaxle, Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning, Brakes, Manual Transmission and Drive Train, and Steering and Suspension. SFCC offers a range of classes that prepare students to work on today’s advanced vehicle systems. The program provides students with the background and knowledge to earn Automotive Service Excellence certifications.
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