LCC holds second annual Transportation Day
Local students across the area came out to Lenoir Community College’s second annual Transportation Day Wednesday, learning about the automotive opportunities at the school. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News
Scores of area students picked up a different perspective Wednesday.
Lenoir Community College held its second annual Transportation Day, with high schoolers from Kinston, North Lenoir, South Lenoir, Greene Central and Jones Senior all getting the opportunity to see some of the classes and training LCC had to offer.
Among them was Kinston sophomore Jeffery Hill, who said he enjoyed the event.
“I liked everything they were showing us, dealing with cars,” Hill said. “I wanted to learn how to take tires off, work on engines and change oil so I can do it myself and make money.”
Phillip Jones, a sophomore at Jones Senior, had positive words about Transportation Day.
“The experience has been good and this is something I’m interested in,” Jones said. “My favorite part was checking out the alignment rack.”
David Pearce, the automotive chair at LCC, said this was a good way to showcase to the students what the school could provide and deliver additional options.
“We had several skill areas set for them to participate hands-on, such as a tire changer, brake bar and the alignment rack,” Pearce said. “We also had a slideshow presentation to give an introduction toward transportation, the jobs that are out here in the county and how we can prepare them in the field.”
Darren Smith is the automotive instructor at South Lenoir and said not every school has access to the equipment of LCC, as the event helps open more eyes toward the field.
“We’re fortunate to have some of the equipment at South Lenoir, but this event exposes more students to opportunities at the next level,” Smith said. “They also get to see the importance of furthering their education before getting to the level they want to be successfully.”
Carlos Garcia, who studies automotive technology at LCC, graduated from North Lenoir and said this is a good segue toward the career.
“For those who come in and want to get involved in the career, this is a great inside look,” Garcia said. “Hopefully, they’ll want to come to LCC and eventually fill our spots.”
