New auto training center opens at Iowa community college with ribbon-cutting event

A renovation and expansion of the 60,000-square-foot facility added 22 more vehicle work bays, new classrooms, a student lounge, and a conference center

Ankeny, Iowa—Karl Chevrolet Auto Training Center at the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) opened last week at the Ankeny campus. The new facility was aided by a $1 million donation to the center.

The gift drove the renovation and expansion of the 60,000-square-foot facility and added 22 more vehicle work bays, new classrooms, a student lounge, and a conference center. It also features a showroom. In addition, nine classrooms in the existing facility were renovated.

The DMACC automotive programs include Automotive Technology, a DMACC General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (ASEP), a Ford ASSET (Automotive Student Service Educational Training) program, a MOPAR Career Automotive Program (CAP) program, a Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) program, Subaru-U, an Auto Chassis & Power Train diploma program, an Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair Technology diploma program and an Auto Engines and Tune-Up diploma program.

DMACC has established local and national industry partnerships, including those with General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Mercedes, Honda, Subaru and Toyota and, most recently, the Ganassi Racing Team.