Conestoga news

July 2, 2015 3:45 PM

Partnership provides students with the latest automotive technology

Students in Conestoga’s motive power programs will now have access to the latest motor vehicle technology thanks to a partnership between the college and a Guelph-area dealership. 

Wellington Motors truck.jpg
Conestoga College is the proud new owner of a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500, which will provide hands-on learning for automotive apprenticeship students. Above L-R: Conestoga College Trades and Apprenticeship staff Ezio Alberton, Jeff Oakes, Stu Hood, and Wellington Motors vice president Mike Woods.
On July 2, Mike Woods, vice president of Wellington Motors, handed off the keys and ownership papers to a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck to Conestoga’s Stu Hood, coordinator of Motive Power. Although students routinely work on a variety of used vehicles, the Ram marks the first brand new vehicle that has been acquired by the college for use in labs.

“This truck will be invaluable to the learning experience,” said Hood. “The components on board are up-to-date so our students will have access to the most recent technology.”

The pickup will be used by automotive apprenticeship students at the Guelph campus who study motive power fundamentals, automotive service and truck and coach. Students will have the opportunity to work hands-on with the wheels and brakes, hydraulics and on-board diagnostics. The truck is licensed for the road and will also be outfitted with a Conestoga vehicle wrap to serve as a travelling billboard at events.

Wellington Motors, now celebrating its 75th anniversary, is a family-owned Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership that has serviced the community of Guelph since 1940. The dealership currently employs two automotive service technician apprentices from Conestoga.

“Wellington Motors has a long and valued relationship with the college,” said Woods. We believe in the Conestoga experience, particularly for training for real-world experience. We’ve hired numerous skilled technicians from Conestoga’s program; we’re huge fans.”

Conestoga’s Guelph campus is fast becoming a provincial leader in education and training for the motive power trades, including automotive, truck and coach, heavy equipment, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. More on Conestoga’s motive power programs is available here