Tesla chooses Miami Dade College for first southeast electric automotive training center in high tech facility

Tesla, the leader in electric car design and manufacturing, has chosen MDC as it’s first institutional partner in the Southeastern United States for its Tesla START automotive training program. The program will train students to become Tesla automotive technicians at a new state-of-the-art facility being constructed at the College’s West Campus.
“I’m very proud that the College was chosen to do this for the Southeast U.S.,” MDC president Eduardo J. Padrón said. “The educational opportunities in electric vehicles will give us new ways to serve students and our region.”
Tesla START, scheduled to launch at MDC in the fall, is an accelerated 12-week program that pays students while they train to become electric vehicle technicians. Tesla provides the vehicles, equipment, instructor, tools and curriculum for hands-on learning.
After completing the program, students become eligible for employment with Tesla at one of their service locations across the country. Tesla will collaborate with graduates to place them at Tesla Service Centers from Coral Gables to Tampa and across North America. Tesla is planning to open additional service centers in the Miami area.
“We are partnering with Tesla in Miami to create more jobs, making the city and Miami Dade College an important connection point for the tech sector,” said Dr. John Wensveen, MDC’s vice provost of academic schools.
“These are the types of programs that prepare our students for the jobs of the future,” said Antonio Delgado, dean of the School of Engineering, Technology and Design. “The students in the Tesla START program are going to be ready and eligible for good-paying jobs once they finish. It’s a unique opportunity.”
Details about the program will be announced at the eMerge Americas technology conference being held April 29-30, in Miami Beach. Up to 12 students will be selected by Tesla over the summer for the first class at MDC. Three students will graduate from the program each year.
For information, call MDC at 305-237-2000.