Education

Toyota expands technician training and education program to 8 new locations

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Aug 28, 2020, 9:03 am

The Toyota Technician Training & Education Network trains employees for the future.

Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.

Toyota Motor North America is expanding its Technician Training & Education Network (T-TEN) program to eight additional cities. The program already operates in 36 location as nationwide.

The T-TEN program partners with schools and organizations to offer students an opportunity to earn degrees and certificates, including an associate's degree, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications, and Toyota and Lexus technician training certifications. These students can then go on to work at one of Toyota's 1,500 networked dealerships.

"Trained auto technicians are in great demand and are the key to any successful dealership," said Joseph Myers, technician development manager for the T-TEN program at TMNA. "We are grateful for the opportunity to expand the program's reach to eight new schools and organizations that not only fulfills our needs, but also provides stable jobs and career security that aims to give vehicle owners the most satisfying service experience possible."

These eight new locations are:

  • Andrada Polytechnic High School, Tucson, Arizona
  • Cherry Creek Innovation Center, Centennial, Colorado
  • Collin College Technical Campus, Allen, Texas
  • Contra Costa College, San Ramon, California
  • Fresno City College, Fresno, California
  • Hartnell College, Salinas, California
  • Lincoln College of Technology, Columbia, Maryland
  • Vehicles for Change, Baltimore, Maryland

The move comes as Toyota looks to fill its pipeline with well-trainer and certified technicians who are able to conduct hands-on automotive diagnosis and repair in an industry environment that is increasingly complicated by emerging technologies and evolving powertrains.

T-TEN technician training is available with different programs, degrees and certificate options, and the typical program length is two years. Once participants complete the program, they have the ability to apply for open service technician positions at Toyota or Lexus dealerships, or any automotive service operation, including independent service and repair shops.

To learn more about T-TEN, visit www.t-ten.com, and to learn more about M-TEN, visit www.hiringourheroes.org/fellowships/mten.

From Your Site Articles

Trending News

Nuts & Bolts

 
 

CES 2021

Sony Vision-S development moves to road testing in Europe

Sony's team is testing the Vision-S on the streets of Austria.

Photo courtesy of Sony

One year ago Sony surprised the crowds at CES with the Vision -S, a concept vehicle meant to further the discussion on safety, security, and entertainment. The vehicle has moved from concept to prototype, taking to the roads of Europe for testing.

The car has been driving the roads of Austria since December 2020, according to the company, for technical evaluation. Evaluation of what? We're so glad you asked.

If the car is technologically similar to what has presented at CES last year, on-board is Sony's imaging and sensing technologies as well as software regulated using Sony's AI, telecommunication, and cloud technologies.

Sony Vision-S The Sonny Vision S is a working vehicle prototype now. Photo courtesy of Sony

The car, which was built in cooperations with Magna Steyr, features 33 sensors, including CMOS image sensors and time of flight (ToF) sensors within the vehicle. These sensors are designed to detect and recognize people and objects inside and outside the vehicle, and provide "highly advanced driving support."

Each of the two rows of seating in the vehicle features Sony's 360 Reality Audio system. Bose has similar technology built into the Nissan Kicks.

The crossover-lie car's front seats have a panoramic screen in front of them that has the ability to display rich content.

Does this mean that Sony will begin to make cars? The quick answer is no. Sony does not appear itching to get into the car business though the products that result from this testing will likely be available to automakers offering additional competition for components in a fast-paced marketplace where the technology is evolving quickly.

The real winner here could be consumers who will benefit from the stiff completion between suppliers and be on the receiving end of better technology because of it.

From Your Site Articles

Trending News

 
 

Sustainability

Volvo teams up with its home town to create an emissions-free tech incubator

Volvo has teamed up with the City of Gothenburg to create an emissions-free zone.

Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

Volkswagen recently announced that it's turning a Greek island green. Volvo is taking their efforts a little closer to home. Volvo Cars has teamed up with the City of Gothenburg, in Sweden, to create new urban zones that will be used as testbeds for future sustainable technologies. Volvo's headquarters is located just west of the town center.

Gothenburg Green City Zone aims to create an emissions-free zone within Sweden's largest port city, taking a holistic approach that will combine the efforts of many technological and government entities working together. To achieve this, the partnership is looking toward climate-neutral transportation modes and a connected infrastructure. As part of the testbed, Volvo plans to run robotaxis operated by its fully-owned mobility provider M, within the zone.

2-Volvo XC40 Recharge The all-electric Volvo XC40 Recharge recently went on sale in the U.S.Photo courtesy of Volvo Car USA

"Essentially, we initiate a project that intends to limit the number of cars in the city – which is fully in line with our company's purpose," said Håkan Samuelsson, chief executive of Volvo Cars. "This is already proven by our investment in the shared mobility service M, who have developed proprietary A.I. technology to improve efficiency and utilization. We want to be involved in creating the cities of the future and keep them livable. This initiative gives us an opportunity to do that and take on responsibility in our own hometown at the same time."

Technology that will be tested in the zone includes geo-enabling solutions and services ensuring that cars in the zone operate in electric-only mode and remain within speed limits, as well as traffic infrastructure that can connect to active safety features in cars and share information between road users. Audi is testing similar vehicle-to-infrastructure technology in Georgia and Virginia.

"We want to use our knowledge and technology to help create a future city that is electrified, connected, shared and climate-neutral," said Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Volvo Cars. "This is an opportunity to lead by example, by testing new technologies and services in a live large scale environment, we can show that if it is possible here, it is possible anywhere."

The partnership is also exploring fully electric mobility hubs, autonomous taxis, and an easy-to-use charging network for electric cars. One aspect of this technology may be park-and-charge sans cord, a method that is getting tested in Norway right now.

Volvo isn't the first city to develop an incubator for emerging tech. Toyota recently announced that it will expand the company's research into renewable energy by creating a city at the base of Mt. Fuji.

The Green City Zone initiative starts in spring 2021 and will gradually scale up going forward.

From Your Site Articles

Trending News