Car donated to Dover High tech program

DOVER — Dover High School Regional Career and Technical Center now has a 2014 Ford Fusion to work on and learn with thanks to a donation from Bill Dube Ford/Toyota through Ford Motor Company’s Automotive Career Exploration Program.

Automotive technology students will have the chance to diagnose problems and perform repairs on a modern vehicle — a nice benefit, according to automotive technology instructor Keith Austin. “It gives them the opportunity to see a vehicle with a lot of technology in it,” said Austin.

Lisa Danley, director of the Career Technical Center, said that such donations allow the students to move from the theoretical realm to the practical, hands-on realm of repairs. “Our program thrives on donations like this,” she said.

The intent of Ford’s ACE Program is to raise awareness and increase interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry. Students who pursue such careers can have a good foundation through the program. “We’re helping to build relationships between schools and dealerships,” stated Michael McLean, Ford field service engineer.

Bill Dube service manager Ian Cavanaugh delivered the Fusion to the high school on Jan. 9. “We're very excited to help the students gain access to newer technology to move their educational experience forward,” he said.

Cavanaugh had personally written a letter to Ford requesting a car for Dover High after learning that the program had a limited number of donation vehicles available.