Contribution of a 2020 Ford Edge will allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience
Belleville, ON – July 15, 2021 – Ford of Canada and Benton Fry Ford donated a 2020 Ford Edge to Loyalist College. This donation will be used by skilled trades students in the College’s Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship, Motive Power Fundamentals – Parts and Counter Personnel, and Motive Power Technician – Service and Management programs.
“It’s a pleasure for Benton Fry Ford, in partnership with Ford of Canada, to donate this 2020 Ford Edge to Loyalist College,” said David Ticehurst, Service Manager, Benton Fry Ford. “The modern vehicle is very complex and has an increased level of technology, compared to when I was in trade school. The ability for students to have hands-on training with this vehicle will greatly benefit our future technicians and supply dealerships with highly trained personnel.”
The donation is part of a nationwide initiative in which Ford of Canada is donating a total of 95 vehicles to automotive technology educational institutions across the country. These vehicles were damaged due to flooding last year and have been deemed irreparable. As such, Ford of Canada saw an opportunity to bring some of the latest in vehicle technology to automotive programs across Canada. Benton Fry Ford prepared the vehicle for this donation that will provide a hands-on learning experience for Loyalist College students.
As part of this donation, Ford of Canada is providing Loyalist College students access to the company’s online Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) training. ACE is a partnership program between Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ford dealerships, and secondary and postsecondary institutions that aims to raise awareness and increase interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry.
“Thank you to Benton Fry Ford and Ford of Canada for this generous donation,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “It’s through our work with employers and community partners that our students have access to the latest technology, ensuring they graduate job-ready. The competitive edge provided to students by our state-of-the-art equipment and learning environment is why we have the highest employment rate in eastern Ontario, and a 100% employer satisfaction rate. Your big-heartedness will provide our students with invaluable hands-on learning experiences with a 2020 Ford Edge, translating into new opportunities for certification through the Ford of Canada’s ACE program.”
Students enrolled in a Ford of Canada’s ACE partnership school obtain valuable knowledge of Ford vehicle systems through specialty training in areas such as New Model Training, Electrical Systems, Steering & Suspension and Brakes. These are a subset of the same program current Ford of Canada technicians complete to receive specialty training in dealerships.
Learn more about Benton Fry Ford at bentonfryford.ca. Learn more about Loyalist College at loyalistcollege.com.
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