Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire was proud to donate a minivan and automotive parts to the Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) Automotive Program, based out of Manassas.
“Steve’s has been loading the van up with starters and air conditioning compressors…a half shaft, a steering rack,” said Gary Phares, an automotive instructor at NOVA.
According to another automotive instructor at NOVA, John Hicks, the program currently has 150 students in day and night classes.
“We train in all eight areas of ASE [certification]…brakes, alignments, suspension, electrical, AC, engine repair, engine performance, automatic transmission, manual transmission,” said Hicks.
How the minivan donation helps
At NOVA there is a 2 year automotive degree program, or a one year certificate program with job placement assistance.
While the program is popular, Hicks and Phares said that they rely mainly on donations from automotive shops, like Steve’s, to get parts they need.
“We use a variety of things in the program, so it’s not so much a question on what we need, it’s what can we get…we pretty much rely on donations,” said Hicks.
Phares said there is especially need for manual transmissions and manual transmission vehicles.
The instructors will pick up any vehicles or parts that are donated to the program, according to Phares.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.