Laredo College’s Transportation Technology Department is well-known for its community purpose of leading the transportation industry by preparing students pursuing automotive careers and offering opportunities for students looking to grow in the field.
One of the programs’ most recent success stories is student Temoc Ramos, who recently completed over 30 online modules as part of an educational partnership with renowned automotive company Audi.
The Audi Education Partnership is a program for students enrolled in an accredited technical school or college. It allows them to complete the AEP program requirements alongside normal coursework through self-paced, online training modules. After completing the online modules, the students can apply for an apprenticeship with an Audi dealership.
Ramos is scheduled to graduate in Fall 2023. He said he is excited as he is already implementing all the knowledge he has acquired both through his classes and through the Audi modules since he works in a local automotive shop. The knowledge he has gained helps him diagnose vehicles that others in the shop could not figure out.
Apart from the knowledge, Ramos said that his confidence has grown and thanked both Audi and Laredo College for the opportunity in expanding his skills in working with the German luxury vehicles.
“The Audi Educational Partnership has been a great informational program for me. It’s provided me with a lot of information and training in terms of the most complex and luxurious vehicles,” the LC student said. “Audi is one of the top leaders in the automotive industry and they have different partnerships and provide resources and tools so you can learn and grow.”
Transportation Technology Department Chair Francisco Ramirez said Ramos is committed to learning the trade and is an excellent example of how the department trains and develops future transportation technology experts.
“Training never ends in today’s changing industry to meet customer demands and government regulations of emission standards and the next trend of electric vehicles or whatever the path takes,” Ramirez said. “We need transportation and trained technicians who can diagnose and repair vehicles.”
He added that although Laredo does not have an Audi dealership, the program will add to his experience and possibly help him land a job with other dealerships, especially Volkswagen of Laredo, since Audi is the luxury brand of Volkswagen.
The college’s partnerships in the community have made the programs flourish. One instance is the generous $10,000 donation from Sames Laredo Chevrolet & Sames Laredo Nissan, which was allotted to purchase new equipment.
The Transportation Technology Department supports workforce training to meet the highest industry skills standards to counteract shortages of trained and certified vehicle technicians and instructors. It offers short-term degrees in Automotive Technology, Automotive Collision Repair Technology and Diesel Engine Mechanics & Repair.
Students enrolled in these specialized programs graduate with short-term certifications such as the Automotive Service Technician Certificate, Automotive Electronics and Performance Technician Certificate, Automotive Collision Repair Technology Certificate and Diesel Heavy Truck Technician Certificate.
Registration is underway for Maymester, summer and fall at Laredo College. Students wishing to pursue a career in transportation technology can contact the Transportation Technology Department at (956) 794-4071 or
transportation@laredo.edu.
