The College of the Canyons Foundation has received a $20,000 donation from the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Association, or GLANCDA, in support of the college’s automotive technology program.

The funds will allow the program to purchase the equipment, curriculum materials and supplies required to expand hybrid vehicle training.

“We are very grateful to the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Association for this very generous donation to our automotive technology program,” said Murray Wood, chief development officer at the COC Foundation. “We have a growing need to expand upon our current curriculum to serve our students and employers better in the college service area.”

The college’s automotive technology program prepares students with the entry-level skills needed for an automotive technician position in a variety of settings including dealerships, independent automotive repair facilities, as well as with county or federal agencies.

The program offers certificate and degree pathways that range from one semester to two years in length allowing students to get into the workforce quickly by providing in-depth training with extensive hands-on experiences in all nine ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Certification Programs and the State of California Smog Tech Training.

With roots that trace back to the early 1900s, GLANCDA provides valuable educational and philanthropic benefits to new car dealer members and the local region. Members are individuals, partnerships, or corporations owning and operating a franchised motor vehicle dealership engaged in the sales of automobiles or trucks and licensed by the State of California and located within the Los Angeles County area.

“As a business owner and resident of the Santa Clarita Valley and proud member of the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealer Association, I’m grateful that we have such a worthy cause at College of the Canyons to be able to support,” said Cheri Fleming, a GLANCDA board member.

The College of the Canyons Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) auxiliary organization supporting the District by generating funds to support programs for student success and innovation. The Foundation provides financial resources for scholarship endowment, educational programs, and capital improvements, which can mean the difference between ordinary and extraordinary programs and services.

For more information about the College of the Canyons Foundation, visit the Foundation’s web page.