Students at the Automotive Technology project at the Shelby County College and Career Center are now sporting official uniform shirts after receiving a $500 donation from Premiere Chevrolet in Bessemer. General Sales Manager Kent Smith, whose son is a student in the program, helped secure the donation.

Instructor Robert Irwin said Premiere Chevrolet has indicated they will give the donation annually in order to help supply the program with uniforms.

“I wanted the student to look more professional,” Irwin explained.  “I wanted to mimic industry standards and show the students what they will wear in a real shop one day.  I also wanted to make a good positive impression on future student recruits who visit our program.”

The uniforms were purchased through Cintas and include a customized Automotive Technology logo patch.  The uniforms were given to first-year students and will be theirs to keep throughout their educational careers at the SCCCC and then after they graduate.  Irwin will use future monetary donations to purchase additional uniforms for the next set of students.

The students said they love the uniforms because they not only look professional wearing them, but it also helps to protect their personal clothes.  Students would previously change into a shirt they didn’t mind getting dirty and then change back into their clothes to wear back to regular classes.  Now, the uniform shirt can be worn over their clothes, protecting them from the greasy environment of the shop.

“I love them,” said Helena High School student Camden Twilley, who attends the program for his two-hour career tech elective block. “It makes us look like professionals – shows we are professionals at what we do.”

“We look like we are part of the industry field,” agreed Luke Carter from Chelsea High School. “We look like we are actually working in a shop.”