Toyota T-TEN grads earn ASE certifications

Four 2019 graduates of the Toyota Technician Training and Education Network (T-TEN), a professional Automotive Training program at Columbia-Greene Community College, were honored on Thursday, July 11 for completing the program and earning multiple ASE certifications from the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence.

Caption: Pictured with C-GCC President Carlee Drummer, Ph.D., are 2019 Toyota T-TEN graduates Eric von Schilgen of Grafton, Troy Lynch of Athens, Karam Sawaqed of Hyde Park, Joseph Barnum, Jr. of Ashland, and T-TEN Automotive Technology Instructor Michael Trimarchi.

Each graduate is now qualified as a Certified Toyota Technician at Toyota or Lexus dealerships, having completed required coursework and a paid internship, and achieved a minimum of two ASE certifications — from a total of eight — in areas such as engine repair, steering and suspension, and brakes.

As an added incentive to attempt all eight certifications, C-GCC students who take every available exam are reimbursed for those they pass. This year, the college’s Toyota T-TEN graduates were refunded a total of $1,143.

• Troy Lynch of Athens completed two ASE certifications in Manual Drive Train and Axles and Brakes.

  

• Eric von Schilgen of Grafton completed seven ASE certifications in Engine Repair, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Engine Performance.
• Karam Sawaqed of Hyde Park completed two ASE certifications in Suspension and Steering and Brakes.
• Joseph Barnum, Jr. of Ashland completed eight ASE certifications in Engine Repair, Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Engine Performance.

The event also served to provide new technical highlights of Toyota and Lexus products for the upcoming 2020 model year to both graduates and current students in the Toyota T-TEN program at C-GCC.