November 17, 2009
Contact: Melissa Beedle
604-504-7441, local 4141
Cell: 778-895-4896
melissa.beedle@ufv.ca
Toyota University fuels next generation of skilled trades people at UFV
Those concerned about the lack of skilled trades people should take note of what companies like Toyota are doing to promote the trades. Toyota Canada representatives were lauded for their in-kind vehicle donations to the University of the Fraser Valley during a recognition event at the university’s Chilliwack campus last Friday.
“Toyota was one of the first automotive companies ever to donate vehicles to us and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity over the years,” says Harv Mccullough, UFV dean of trades and technology. “Since the early 1990s, Toyota has donated close to $100,000 worth of vehicles to UFV.
“In BC and around the country, businesses are seeing fewer young people interested in the trades, which is why partnerships between industry and education are so crucial,” McCullough notes. “Without industry involvement, the type of education we deliver would not be possible. Toyota understands that the best way to encourage young people in the trades is to support student learning opportunities.”
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Rolf Arnold, director of trades and technology at UFV (centre, in donated vehicle), surrounded
by the generous folks from Toyota Canada.
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Toyota has been a long-time supporter of UFV’s Automotive Service Technician program and has donated a number of vehicles for training purposes over the years. Since the opening of UFV’s new, expanded facility in Chilliwack in 2007, Toyota has added an additional three vehicles to the university’s training fleet.
One of these is a first-generation Toyota Prius hybrid sedan, which provides students with an opportunity to learn about ‘synergy drive’ systems, safety procedures with electric-powered vehicles, and the relationship between hybrid electric and gasoline drives.
“There’s a good reason why Toyota is recognized internationally for its leadership model,” says UFV president Dr. Mark Evered. “Toyota understands that education and training are critical components of its business success, from promoting ongoing employee training opportunities to supporting higher education.
“I am therefore thrilled to acknowledge Toyota Canada’s generous and visionary gifts to UFV,” says Evered. “Like Toyota, we understand that to create a culture of collaboration, we need to work with the community to create partnerships that benefit everyone. This partnership will not only provide crucial support to our institution by attracting trades students, but will also fuel our local economy.”
Toyota’s continued support has allowed UFV to update programming on an ongoing basis to ensure that students receive relevant, in-demand skills training. As a result of the company’s contribution, graduates from UFV’s Automotive Service Technician program are actively sought-after as employees of the valley’s leading automotive service organizations.
“Toyota Canada and Toyota University are very pleased to promote education within the automotive industry and to help encourage students to consider this industry as a viable career choice,” says Toyota University technical training consultant Kevin Burchmore. “By providing vehicles to a number of schools across the Canada, Toyota will, in a small way, assist educators to help students with the hands-on experiential education required to understand the operation of today’s vehicles.”
Interested in supporting student success? Please contact UFV acting director of development Ryan Koch at 604-851-6326 or ryan.koch@ufv.ca.
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