CAMDEN, N.J., Sept. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Subaru of America, Inc. has announced that the nation's first college degree in Subaru automotive technology will be offered at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) in Gresham, Oregon, starting this fall. Created in partnership with the Mt. Hood Community College Automotive Technology program to meet the rising industry demand for Subaru automotive technicians, the two-year, associate of applied science degree will prepare students to work at Subaru retailers by providing hands-on Subaru factory-certified training. Students will be paired with sponsoring Subaru retailers that will provide paid, on-the-job experience, as well as full-time positions after graduation.

The Subaru automotive technology degree expands upon the automaker's existing relationship with MHCC, fostered through its Subaru U program, dedicated to providing knowledge of Subaru vehicles and systems to prepare students for possible future employment at Subaru retailers nationwide. MHCC first partnered with Subaru in 2015 to provide the Subaru U online factory certification to its automotive technology students. Since then, the training has been provided through the college's automotive technology – IMPORT (Individualized Mechanical Program of Repair Technicians) associate degree program.

"Our students love Subaru vehicles and they frequently tell us they want to work on them," said Eric Garvey, MHCC automotive instructor. "Plus, there's a huge regional demand here in the Pacific Northwest for Subaru cars and SUVs, so it's a win-win."

MHCC is currently working with nine Subaru retailers throughout Oregon to provide students with sponsorships. In 2017, more than 30 students completed the Subaru U online factory certification, which Subaru provided at no cost to MHCC students. Subaru has also donated equipment and five training vehicles for Automotive Technology students to work on.

"We are thrilled to enhance our existing partnership with Mt. Hood Community College and provide greater opportunities for its dedicated students," said Jim Pernas, Portland Zone Director at Subaru of America, Inc. "At Subaru, we are passionate about helping members of our local communities succeed and are excited to give aspiring Subaru technicians the tools they need to realize their full potential."

For more information about Subaru of America and Subaru U, please visit https://www.subaru-u.com/. To learn more about MHCC's Automotive Technology programs, please visit mhcc.edu/AutomotiveTechnology/.

About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 630 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company's vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do.

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Diane Anton
Subaru of America, Inc. 
856-488-5093
danton@subaru.com 

Nick Gosling
Mt. Hood Community College
503-491-7027
nicholas.gosling@mhcc.edu

SOURCE Subaru of America, Inc.

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