Cerritos College held a groundbreaking ceremony for its eagerly SCCTT Groundbreaking Shovel anticipated Southland/Cerritos Center for Transportation Technologies (SCCTT) on Friday, March 27. More than 200 people, including college officials, community members, auto manufacturers, dealers and dignitaries, attended the celebration. Two major donors for this construction project, the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association and the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association, were each represented by their executive directors, Charlie Gil and Todd Leutheuser.

The SCCTT will house the Hybrid and Alternative Fuels Training Center, three manufacturer-sponsored technician apprentice programs (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler), and Northwood University's West Coast program center that offers a bachelor's degree in automotive management for full-time students and working adults.

"The Center is critical in creating thousands of jobs we need to help America's recovery," said Congresswoman Grace Napolitano. "Green technology is changing the industry, and Cerritos College is leading the path."

Another highlight of the program was the showcase of environment-friendly vehicles brought by the world's top car manufacturers.  The green cars on display included: the BMW Hydrogen 7, Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell SUV, Chevrolet Impara CNG powered by IMPCO Technologies, Dodge Durango Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, GMC Yukon Hybrid, Lexus Hybrid, Long Beach Transit Bus V10 gas engine, Mitsubishi full electric i-MiEV, Pontiac G8 with enhanced performance and gas mileage by aftermarket parts, Tesla Electric, and the Volkswagen Jetta Clean Diesel.

SCCTT Groundbreaking Dealers Master of Ceremonies was Bill Farmer, acting president/superintendent. Farmer was joined by speakers Bob Epple, Cerritos College board president; Steve Richardson, the Cerritos College Foundation executive director; Congresswoman Napolitano; Don Knabe, Los Angeles county supervisor; Billie Greer, director of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's Los Angeles office; and Steve Berklite, interim dean of technology.

The proposed training center will include a $9 million renovation of the existing three-acre auto complex and a new $6 million automotive partners building that will focus on management education for the auto industry. When completed in 2010, the center will have a large role in filling the ever-changing, highly skilled employment needs of the auto industry.

"The SCCTT is a rarity for community colleges as it's the result of partnerships between the college and private industry," said Bill Farmer. "This training center will allow Cerritos College to educate and train tomorrow's automotive industry workforce."

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