─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Automotive Program Spotlight Series
Sharing stories of strategic partnerships to support the next generation of auto technicians and workers
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
School Partner: Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College | Miami, Florida
In May, leaders from Lithia & Driveway (LAD) stores in the greater Miami-Dade County area attended a special event at Robert Morgan Education Center & TechnicalCollege to celebrate a $50,000 donation to the college’s Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT) Program in recognition of its longtime partnership with area stores. The PACT Program generates factory-certified technicians for Honda and Acura stores.
For over 30 years, Largo Honda in Florida City has proudly partnered with Robert Morgan by offering on-site internships and working closely with instructors to ensure student success.
According to Saili Almeida Triana, Largo Honda’s service manager, “The PACT partnership has resulted in long-term value for everyone involved, providing many students with meaningful career opportunities while giving the store the ability to cultivate skilled technicians who understand its processes and culture.”
While expressing the college’s gratitude for the generous donation to its Honda PACT Program, Isabel Hernandez, Assistant Director at Robert Morgan Educational Center & Technical College, stated, “Partnerships like yours truly make a difference, and we are incredibly thankful for your continued commitment to workforce development and education.”
A Time to Celebrate and Connect
Automotive leaders, instructors, college administrators, and automotive technology students attended the event that focused on education, career opportunities, and networking.
Guests enjoyed a catered lunch (compliments of the college’s culinary program), speeches from industry leaders, and a time to personally interact with one another. Students from other OEM programs were able to speak with LAD leaders, too. In fact, general managers from Doral Acura, Doral Volkswagen, and Largo Honda all made hires that day.
“Everyone was so engaged; it was the best time!” said Cindy Giacalone, a senior recruiter at LAD who worked with Robert Morgan officials to organize the day’s activities.
The PACT Program at Largo Honda
On-site store internships allow students to complete their degree’s required work-experience hours and can often become a gateway for stores to hire full-time technicians who have the specialized training and knowledge to hit the ground running on Day One.
“Over the course of my career as a service manager,” says AImeida Triana, “I’ve hired well over 10 graduates from the Robert Morgan program across both Largo Honda and Doral Acura—and honestly, over the years, I’ve hired so many graduates that I’ve lost count!” Here’s a current student story inspired by the college-store partnership:
LARGO HONDA TECHNICIAN SPOTLIGHT
Robert Cruz | Lube Technician, Class D
Largo Honda (Florida City, Florida)
Cruz is enrolled in the PACT program, attending classes while completing the degree’s required work hours as an employee at Largo Honda. He’s working hard to graduate so he attains his Honda master certification.
Thanks to an advertisement for the Honda PACT program at Robert Morgan, Cruz decided to check it out. Before that, he’d always been interested in automotive but had never really thought about it as a career path. He especially liked the opportunity of working at a dealership and acquiring real-world experience while still attending school.
“The program's partnership with Lithia made it easy to choose a dealer and to get started, and my experience there so far has been great. Everyone wants to see you succeed, so they're all really helpful.”
The Partnership’s Expansion
With LAD’s recent expansion in the Southeast Region, the partnership is available to several other area stores, including: Audi Coral Springs, Audi Fort Lauderdale, Buick GMC of North Miami, Doral Acura, Doral Genesis, Doral Hyundai, Doral Kia, Doral Volkswagen, Hyundai of North Miami, and Subaru of North Miami.
AImeida Triana—a 2024 LAD Partner Group Silver Winner in Aftersales—strongly encourages stores to get involved with local technical schools because “investing in these students today helps build the future success of our stores and industry.”
If your store or technical school is interested in developing a similar partnership, reach out to Brittany Osterhout, Community Relations Manager at BrittanyOsterhout@lithia.com.
