Savannah Tech receives Kias for instruction thanks to KMMG donation
Savannah, GA – Savannah Technical College received two vehicles for use in instruction for its Automotive Technology programs at the Savannah and Liberty Campuses from Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). The Optimas were donated to the College’s Foundation, which gave them to the Automotive Technology program.
“KMMG is the ideal corporate partner for an institution like Savannah Technical College,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “They continue to provide vehicles for instructional use and support workforce development across the state.”
The vehicles will give STC students hands-on opportunities to apply theoretical training to live work. Students will be able to learn with the most up-to-date technologies in the industry, like electric power steering and Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) fuel system.
“The automotive industry is highly competitive, and these newer technology vehicles will allow us to set our students apart from others as they prepare to enter the workforce,” said STC Automotive Technology Department Head Anthony Hobbs.
The donated 2016 Optimas are what KMMG refers to as a quality assessment vehicles, which are not made for the open road. The vehicles were trailered to their respective campuses.
Jason Shin, the chief executive officer and president of KMMG, said these vehicles are the perfect fit for a hands-on learning environment like STC’s Automotive Technology labs in Savannah and Hinesville.
“We are donating models with the latest technology so students will be properly equipped with automotive knowledge that will help them succeed,” Shin said.
KMMG gave 26 of these vehicles to the Technical College System of Georgia last month. To date, KMMG has donated 218 vehicles for educational and training purposes.
STC’s Automotive Technology graduates are trained to hold positions in the automotive service and repair industry as service technicians, inspectors and maintenance and repair mechanics. The program emphasizes a combination of automotive mechanics theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. In AY2019, Automotive Technology students had a 95.6% placement in field with students earning a degree or diploma at 100% placement.
About KMMG: Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. With an annual capacity of 340,000 units, KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009. KMMG is home to the Telluride SUV, Sorento SUV and K5 mid-size sedan.
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# 2108 | October 8, 2020
Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu
A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.
Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.
