GARDNER –The Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) Automotive Technology Program announced the donation of a 2024 Ford Mustang GT by Townsend Ford and the Ford Motor Company in recognition of MWCC’s utilization of the Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) program. This donation will enhance the hands-on learning experience for students enrolled in the program, offering them the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art automotive technology.
“We are immensely grateful for the generosity of Townsend Ford in providing us with this cutting-edge vehicle,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “This donation will enrich the learning experience of our students, allowing them to work with the latest technology and prepare them for successful careers in the industry.”
The ACE Program is a dealer-sponsored program intended to raise awareness and increase interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry, ultimately as a service technician at a Ford or Lincoln dealership. ACE is a partnership program between Ford Motor Company, Ford/Lincoln dealerships, and secondary and post-secondary educational institutions. Through ACE, MWCC students complete online Ford Service Training that stays with them as they start their career in a Ford Dealership as a Service Technician.
Delivering the vehicle to the college were Townsend Ford’s Vice President Joseph Cleary and Internet Manager Stephanie Alderson, and Erin Powers, market area coordinator for Ford Motor Company.
“We believe that investing in your education is an investment in the future, the skills you are acquiring are more and more in demand every day.” Powers told students. “The certifications you have earned and continue to earn will be with you for your whole career.”
“We are so thankful for the MWCC Automotive Technology Program and the relationship we’ve built with your instructors,” Cleary added. “We hope you enjoy working with the Mustang and look forward to seeing you with us in the future.”
“The donation of the Mustang GT underscores Townsend Ford’s commitment to supporting education and empowering the next generation of automotive technicians,” said Eric Almeida, director of the MWCC Automotive Technology Program. “The vehicle will serve as a valuable asset for students to gain practical skills and knowledge in automotive repair, maintenance and diagnostics, and help equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the industry.”
For more information about the MWCC Automotive Technology Program and how to support its mission, visit mwcc.edu.