Stevens said “it’s awesome” for the students to get their hands on the later model vehicles. He said anyone is welcome to donate cars and trucks to the program.

“The more we can get, the better so they can learn the tech,” the teacher said.

He said the auto repair and refinishing program will also fix up vehicles brought to them for a small fee.

“We only charge for materials, and the labor is free,” he said.

With advancements in vehicle technology---like high-strength steel, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbag systems---knowing where and how to efficiently hone repair skills on later model vehicles provides the best training outside the classroom, Dwayne Redd, State Farm public affairs specialist, said in a release. Vehicle donations like these provide “a valuable hands-on opportunity to practice techniques specifically on newer and more intricate model vehicles,” the release stated.

Redd said in the release that with “limited budgets, schools welcome the opportunity to receive additional practice, especially on newer vehicles equipped with the most current systems. This hands-on practice enables students to best prepare for their future in the automotive field.”

Cunningham said, “We’re happy to do … anything we can to give back locally [and] to further the education” of students seeking to work in auto repair.

We thank The Enterprise for reprint permission.