Middle Georgia Technical College

Kia Donates 2011 Sorento to Middle Georgia Technical College

West Point - Middle Georgia Technical College Acting President Jeff Scruggs received a Kia “Key to the Future” during a special event held recently at the Kia Georgia Training Center in West Point, when Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) donated 20 of the all-new Kia Sorentos to the Technical College System of Georgia. The colleges receiving the cars were chosen based on the size of enrollment in their automotive programs.

"KMMG deeply appreciates the support we continue to receive from the State of Georgia, Governor Sonny Perdue, Commissioner Ron Jackson, and the entire Technical College System Board of Directors," said KMMG President and CEO Byung Mo Ahn. "The donation of these vehicles is just one expression of our deep appreciation for all that Georgia's technical college system has done to support our success."

"The Technical College System of Georgia has been an important partner for Kia Motors Manufacturing from the very beginning," said K.S. Kim, senior vice president of KMMG, during the presentation ceremony. "Many of the technical colleges have provided support for our endeavor, and most especially Georgia Quick Start has been critical to our success, as they have developed and delivered workforce training that is the new global benchmark in our industry of advanced automotive manufacturing."

"We consider the keys to these Kia Sorentos to also be the keys to the future for technical college students across the great state of Georgia," Kim added.

Kia first announced its intention to build an automotive manufacturing facility in Georgia in 2006. The Kia Georgia Training Center, operated jointly by Kia and Georgia Quick Start, opened its doors in 2008. Since then, KMMG has hired more than 1,700 team members who began producing the best-selling, award-winning Sorento last November. Commissioner Ron Jackson received the donation on behalf of the TCSG.

"Students across the state will have the opportunity to experience some of the most sophisticated automotive technology on the market today," Jackson said. "KMMG's generous donation will help prepare our graduates with the knowledge and experience to compete in the world of advanced automotive manufacturing."

"The 2011 Kia Sorento is an award-winning advanced automobile that is built at KMMG's new state-of-the-art plant in Georgia," said Scruggs. "KMMG's gift to the MGTC automotive program will expose our faculty and students to new automotive technologies. President Ahn, Mr. Kim, and all the team members at KMMG have established themselves as partners in building a stronger Georgia economy. This automobile donation is an example of the commitment that KMMG has made to our great state. MGTC is honored and proud to receive this fantastic new automobile."

Ken Hardy is the program chair for the Automotive program. MGTC offers a diploma program and several technical certificates of credit within the Automotive program. Additionally, MGTC offers automotive courses to dual enrollment students through the Houston County Career Academy.

The job placement rate for graduates of the MGTC Automotive program has consistently been above 98 percent since Fiscal Year 2006.

Students in the Automotive program learn to work on all types of automobiles through hands-on training in laboratory. Students can experience a variety of scenarios through lab vehicles and live work. The job placement rate for graduates of the MGTC Automotive program has consistently been above 98 percent since Fiscal Year 2006.

For more information or to apply for admission, call 478.988.6800 or log on to www.middlegatech.edu. Also, you can become a fan of MGTC at www.facebook.com/middlegeorgiatech. Fall quarter classes will begin September 28. Apply now!

Photo: Mr. K.S. Kim, senior vice president of KMMG is pictured with MGTC Acting President Jeff Scruggs, MGTC Automotive Program Chair Ken Hardy, and TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson in front of the brand new Sorento donated to the College by Kia.