Going the extra mile for VCC’s community partners
A heavily damaged vehicle was recently the focus of an intensive collaboration between two classes and four instructors in the Automotive Collision and Refinishing program at Vancouver Community College (VCC).
This project was one of many examples where students applied their educational knowledge to an extraordinary hands-on learning opportunity, and showcased VCC’s commitment to community service.
Under the guidance of experienced instructors Nicholas Watt, John Tam, Jason Fuller, and Derek Sproston, VCC automotive students assessed, repaired, and restored the car to full working condition. The process, which involved everything from structural analysis to paintwork, provided them with invaluable insights into collision repair and teamwork.
The client, a member of Burnaby Meals on Wheels, had brought the car in with significant rear-end damage and expressed gratitude for the effort invested in the repair.
“We’re so grateful for the repairs that were done on our vehicle,” says Cynthia Lu, seniors food programs supervisor. “Now we’re able to resume delivering meals to older residents who need it the most.”
The not-for-profit delivers nutritious, local and affordable food to vulnerable people in the community. For students, being able to see the tangible impact of their work in the community brings them a sense of meaning to the training they do.
Automotive specialists trained in hybrid technologies are in high demand in the province with the growing popularity of zero-emission vehicles on the road yearly. VCC is proud to continue fostering community connections and meeting the needs of the province with skilled workers fully equipped by graduation.
With the VCC Automotive Collision and Refinishing program as one of the major cornerstones within the school of trades, technology and design, the college is grateful to support this initiative and to showcase its work with industry partners and the community in the future, while also awaiting for exciting change and growth with the new Centre for Clean Energy and Automotive Innovation coming to the Broadway campus.
Ready to shine? Start your career journey training on real customer cars in a working auto body shop. Learn more about the program in a virtual tour.