Brookhaven Courier

Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Chris Vivero Automotive Instructor Don Jones explains automobile inspections to Thomas Jefferson High School students.

As technology changes and demands for jobs increase in the automotive field, so does the need for additional space. Brookhaven College plans to expand Q Building, which houses the current automotive technology program. Doug Wallace, project manager of the expansion, said the college's budget is approximately $3.1 million.

Don Jones, automotive professor with 20 years of experience, said, "Twenty years ago was the last time any major funds were spent on Q Building."

He said the biggest shortfall right now is in the shop.

"We only have 14 bays and that limits us to an absolute maximum of 40 students out there at once and even then it is an overload situation," Jones said.

Wallace said the expansion will consist of approximately 9,000 sq. ft. of new space. He said it will also bring an additional eight bays and a complete remodeling of four classrooms.

Additional land was not required since the college owned it from the initial purchase, and the total amount of classroom and bay space will total approximately 12,700 sq. ft.

Jones said he has seen the construction of the current building and is optimistic about what the expansion will bring.

"The additional space will allow students and the faculty to have flexible schedules in both the comprehensive programs and dealership sponsored programs," Jones said.

He said all of the open enrollment classes for the programs fill on the first day of registration.

He said the automotive programs allow individuals employed with Ford, GM and other companies to take the necessary classes as technology changes in the field.

Jones said the programs also focus on full-time students and on opportunities for placement and internships for the students. He said students who graduate from the program have a 99 percent placement.

He said General Motors, Ford, Nissan and other manufacturers support by donating equipment and vehicles needed for the program.

Jones said the proposal of the expansion has taken more than five years and it was long overdue.

"Initially there were three proposals," he said. "The renovation committee decided on the middle one as reasonable."

With the design phase finished, Jones said the final stages of construction will begin January 2008.

"Ideally it would be nice if a majority of the construction could be done between semesters," he said.

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