Sinclair College Continues Commitment to Job Training with Tesla START Program

Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio fortified its commitment to training the workforce of Montgomery County and beyond when it acquired the Tesla START Program, an accelerated 12-week course of study designed to equip students with the skills necessary to become electric vehicle technicians at Tesla. Sinclair College is one of only eight institutions in the country to offer the program, and the only one in the Midwest. Tesla START is also offered at colleges in Los Angeles, Miami, San Jose, Seattle, Charlotte, Waco, and Long Island, NY.

It was a natural progression for Sinclair to apply for the Tesla START Program, according to Justin Morgan, chairperson, Automotive Technology. “Tesla collaborated on Sinclair’s National Science Foundation grant in 2019 that focused on educating automotive instructors and technicians on automated and connected vehicle technology,” said Morgan. “That collaboration led to Sinclair’s application to become a Tesla START school.”

“Sinclair's Tesla START Program offers more students in this region the opportunity to gain innovative skills and certifications that lead to in-demand jobs,” said Morgan. 

Many electric vehicle technician students already had automotive training or experience working in repair shops, according to Morgan. By earning acceptance into Tesla START, students got to work on a Tesla to learn the specific procedures and technology required to service electric vehicles including battery architecture, charging technology, and Tesla-specific repair procedures.

The first class of eight graduates was celebrated just this past September. During the course of the program, students were paid by Tesla — similar to an internship — while they participated in a blended approach of in-class theory, hands-on labs and self-paced learning. Tesla worked with the graduates for job placement at Tesla Service Centers in North America. 

The Sinclair graduates have experienced a smooth transition from college to full-time employment. “Each of the eight recent graduates is currently working in Tesla facilities across the country including Ohio, Arizona, California, Florida, and Virginia,” said Morgan.

The Tesla START Program is just the latest example of Sinclair’s strong commitment to job readiness education. 

“The Automotive Technology Program provides state-of-the-art training to individuals aspiring to work in challenging, high-paying careers as automotive service technicians in automobile dealerships, independent service facilities, and auto-related industries,” said Morgan. “Sinclair is at the forefront of expanding partnerships, creating opportunities to meet workforce needs, and most importantly, helping students find meaningful careers.”

Sinclair’s Automotive Technology Program offers specific corporate training in the following programs — all designed to develop technicians for their respective dealerships: General Motors ASEP (Automotive Service Education Program), Mopar CAP (Career Apprenticeship Program), and American Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training).

“Sinclair’s Automotive Technology program currently partners with over 25 employers in the Dayton region,” said Morgan, “providing students with work-based learning opportunities that are critical to preparing them for careers in the automotive service industry.”

Spots in Sincalir’s Tesla START Program are competitive because of the employment opportunities. The program will be available for the fall, spring, and summer academic terms, with each accepting about a dozen students. Click here for more information about enrollment.

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