ANKENY, Iowa—The DMACC Automotive Program announced today it has received Iowa Department of Education approval to begin offering the Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) Program beginning in fall 2020.

Honda PACT, co-sponsored by DMACC and Honda, is a unique program designed to prepare students for employment as a Honda or Acura dealership technician and to help fill the growing technician skills gap found in many dealerships. The partnership, the only one of its kind in Iowa and one of only 29 nationwide, offers a curriculum specifically tailored by American Honda and DMACC, an internship at local Honda or Acura dealership, and often a career at the dealership upon completion of the program.

“DMACC is proud to be selected by Honda to offer Honda PACT Training as part of our growing and in-demand Automotive Technology Program,” said Jerry Burns, DMACC Automotive Technology Program Chairperson and Professor. “Our DMACC graduates are highly sought-after by industry employers and across all auto manufacturers.

“Given the popularity of Honda and Acura vehicles, we are pleased to be able to add the Honda PACT Program to our offerings and help prepare our students for jobs at Honda and Acura dealerships across Iowa and throughout the Midwest.”

The Honda PACT program offers students the opportunity to obtain a two-year college degree or a certificate while receiving world-class training in the latest automotive technology and preparing for employment as a Honda or Acura dealership technician. Students will receive specialized training on Honda and Acura automobiles, training with special Honda tools and equipment, on-the-job experience at Honda and Acura dealerships, and leading industry standard certifications.

“Their strong reputation as a quality provider of automotive training is what initially attracted us to DMACC,” said Brian Moore, Industry Education Coordinator for American Honda. “Having had the pleasure of working with the DMACC staff for the better part of a year now, I can say without reservation that their good reputation is well-deserved. With their proactive approach to every phase of building their PACT program, their outreach activities, and their evident professionalism, I have no doubt that PACT at DMACC will be a success for Honda and Acura dealers throughout Iowa.”

Students interested in enrolling in the Honda PACT Program at DMACC are encouraged to reach out to DMACC Automotive Program Chair Jerry Burns at jlburns@dmacc.edu or to DMACC Automotive Program Pathway Navigator Janelle Seward at jnseward@dmacc.edu.

More information can also be found at http://auto.dmacc.edu.

Mikey Moore of Altoona (far left), a senior at Southeast Polk High School, and Thomas Fritz of Ankeny (far right), a senior at Ankeny High School, both plan to attend DMACC next year and enroll in the College’s new Honda PACT Program. Moore and Fritz are currently students in the DMACC Career Advantage Automotive Mechanics Technology Program. They are pictured with Brian Moore, Industry Education Coordinator for American Honda (second from left), and DMACC President Rob Denson (second from right).