TCC’s Regional Automotive Center Hosts Spring Open House, Showcasing Industry Partnerships and Career Pathways
Tidewater Community College’s (TCC) Regional Automotive Center (RAC) hosted its Spring Open House on Thursday, April 10, welcoming prospective students, families, and local industry leaders to explore its cutting-edge automotive training programs and facilities, and to learn more about the innovative programs that they offer.
The event offered prospective students a hands-on look at what it’s like to study and train in one of the region’s most robust automotive technology programs. Guests toured the classrooms and garage bays, met with instructors, and learned about the career pathways that can begin at the RAC.
“The biggest thing with the Open House is to get awareness out to the community,” said Manufacturing and Transportation Chair Kevin Harris. “We’re in an industry where we’re struggling for technicians. If we can boost awareness through events like this, we can bring in students who haven’t been exposed to the automotive world. A lot of them have experience from YouTube or tinkering in their driveway; here, they get to see what it’s like to work in a real shop.”
In addition to being a recruitment tool for prospective students, the open house also served as a job fair for currently enrolled TCC students and a platform for high schoolers considering their next steps after graduation, offering opportunities for on-site interviews from local dealerships and automotive businesses who participated in the open house.
Representatives from regional dealerships and national manufacturers were set up throughout the building to speak directly with students and their families. These industry professionals highlighted their partnerships with the RAC and explained how students could transition from classroom learning into rewarding careers with their respective businesses.
“This event allows us to put faces to names in an industry that’s become very automated when it comes to hiring,” said Harris. “Meeting employers in person and learning where you could work is a huge opportunity for our students.”
What sets TCC’s Regional Automotive Center apart is its network of strong partnerships with major automotive manufacturers, giving students direct pathways into careers at leading dealerships. Students enrolled in the RAC programs not only earn TCC college credits, but also receive hands-on training that leads to valuable industry-recognized certifications. The RAC has established partnerships with Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Toyota, and Subaru, and offers exclusive manufacturer specialization courses in collaboration with its partners.
The open house is just one of the RAC’s community engagement efforts. “We do two open houses a year: spring and fall,” said Harris. “We also host other events like our upcoming car show this weekend. We get students to come out and we can give tours of the facility while they are here for the car show.”
TCC’s Regional Automotive Center continues to fill the technician gap in the automotive industry by providing quality education, hands-on experience, and meaningful connections to employers.
For more information about the Regional Automotive Center, visit https://www.tcc.edu/come-to-tcc/chesapeake-campus/regional-automotive-center/.