Automotive industry partnership sets career pathways in alignment at SCC
Southeastern Paint & Body partnered with Southeastern Community College to support hands-on training for students in the Automotive Systems Technology program with an equipment donation. The partnership reflects a shared focus on preparing students for skilled technical careers in Columbus County, said SCC President Dr. Chris English, and local business involvement continues to play a key role in strengthening workforce pipelines close to home.
Southeastern Paint & Body donated a wheel alignment machine to SCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program, giving students additional access to industry-standard tools used in professional shops. SCC’s Automotive Systems Technology instructor David Higgins incorporated the machine into lab instruction to help students build real-world mechanical skills in wheel alignment.
The wheel alignment machine allows students to measure and adjust a vehicle’s suspension angles, including camber, caster and toe, to meet manufacturer specifications. Using cameras and optical targets, the system captures precise measurements and guides technicians through adjustments that improve tire wear, handling and overall road safety. The equipment supports hands-on instruction by mirroring the technology used in professional automotive shops.
Kevin Harrelson, owner of Southeastern Paint & Body, said the donation reflected his long-term investment in the local workforce. Harrelson opened his business in 1993 and relocated to its current site in 2003, just 1.3 miles west of SCC’s campus.
“I donated it to the college so they can train people,” Harrelson said. “If you give back to the community, you know, you reap what you sow in life. If we sow back into the college, it might not come back to me financially, but it’s going to come to the county. It’s not just one seed but a harvest.”
Harrelson explained that skilled technical jobs remain essential to the economic health of Columbus County. By preparing students for steady, good-paying jobs close to home, SCC and local employers can help strengthen the county’s workforce and keep talent in the community.
“We figured that piece of equipment could train the students and get good jobs where they could support their families without leaving the county,” Harrelson said. “If they can do alignments, they can get an automotive job anywhere.”
Through SCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program, students are developing a strong foundation in mechanical systems, diagnostics and repair. For students interested in collision-related careers, that training can serve as a strong starting point, with opportunities to continue learning collision-specific skills through on-the-job training with employers like Southeastern Paint & Body.
“Knowing the basics of a car is important, even if it is just mechanical,” Harrelson said. “The mechanical knowledge intertwines with the body work, and that is what is so important about the automotive program at the college. If Southeastern teaches them mechanical, I can teach them the body work.”
English said partnerships with local employers strengthened student outcomes in the classroom and after graduation. He explained that industry support ensured students are trained on equipment similar to what they would encounter after completing the program.
“We rely on industry partners like Southeastern Paint and Body as advisors to inform us and our instructors of any new and emerging technologies or training that students need,” English said. “Those partnerships are critical to the success of our students and them walking away with the skills necessary for their career.”
English said SCC focused on aligning academic programs with regional workforce needs. He noted that automotive careers offered stable employment options for students seeking hands-on work.
“Our automotive program currently follows the accreditation standards associated with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, and we are sharpening the ‘mechanical mind’ that body shop employees need,” English said. “We are preparing students in the latest technology of gas, electric and diesel-powered vehicles, and we want to make sure they are performing at their highest level on the job.”
Southeastern Paint & Body employed technicians in several roles, including mechanical repair, diagnostics and collision-related positions. The shop provides opportunities for employees to continue learning and advancing within the business.
“We were able to take that donated piece of equipment and use it immediately in the lab,” English said. “When our graduates walk in the door on the first day of work, they’re going to recognize that alignment equipment and know how to use it.”
SCC automotive students will soon train in the new 25,000 square foot Transportation Technology and STEM Building currently under construction. The facility will house updated classrooms and lab spaces designed to support hands-on instruction in automotive and diesel technologies. The building represents SCC’s continued investment in technical education and workforce preparation.
Students interested in hands-on automotive careers can learn more about SCC’s Automotive Systems Technology program by visiting this program page or calling 910-788-6247.
