Ogeechee Technical College received a donation of tools Wednesday from Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America as part of a collective effort to assist in the development of future electric vehicle professionals.
According to a release from Ogeechee Tech, the kit, which is valued at around $9,500, includes an automotive milli meter, mega meter, multi meter, and an insulated tool set designed for working with electric vehicles.
“We are grateful to have such a powerful partnership with HMGMA,” said OTC President, Lori Durden. “Having state-of-the-art equipment to train students in our new Electric Vehicle Professional TCC is just the first of many steps to helping meet the growing workforce demands of our region.”
Production operations at the Metaplant are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2024, with official opening of the facility targeted for the first quarter of 2025.
Currently under construction on the 3,000-acre site in Black Creek just south of I-16 East near Blitchton, the Metaplant complex is now projected to employ, eventually, 8,500 people on-site. Additionally, parts suppliers building factories in the region – including some in Bulloch County – expect to employ almost 6,000 more workers. So, Hyundai Motor Group now projects that the Metaplant and off-site suppliers together will create a total of 14,476 jobs at full production.
The Electrical Vehicle Professional Technical Certificate of Credit at Ogeechee Tech started its first cohort of students on February 29. The certificate is a product of a signed Memorandum of Understanding with HMGMA in 2023 to prepare students for entry-level employment in the electric vehicle production industry.
Allen McDaniel, an automotive instructor at OTC and instructor for the Electrical Vehicle Professional certificate explained how the Hyundai Metaplant’s partnership with OTC gives hope to students in the region.
“At Ogeechee Tech our desire is to help students fulfill their career dreams,” he said. “Every one of the students in my program has a dream of working for Hyundai. I’m grateful to have a partner in HMGMA who can come along side of us and help us steer those students toward achieving those dreams.”
The Electrical Vehicle Professional certificate focuses on safe and effective automotive shop operations, automotive electrical principles and the operation and service of electric vehicles.
The noncredit industrial maintenance training will be ultimately be housed in Ogeechee Tech’s planned Georgia Industrial Systems and Industrial Robotics Training Facility. The $20 million facility is expected to open in the first or second quarter of 2025.