Google’s Douglas County Data Center recently donated a 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid to the West Georgia Technical College Foundation for instructional use in the automotive technology program at the WGTC Douglas Campus in Douglasville.

Hybrid vehicles are becoming mainstream in the automotive industry, and Google’s donation will help West Georgia Tech instructors broaden the scope of how they teach hybrid and green technology.

"This Hybrid car has served us well, and has been used around the clock by Google's Security team as they patrol the Data Center site right here in Douglas County,” said Jim Brown, Facility Manager at Google’s Douglas County Data Center. “We're thrilled that it will now move on to a second stage in its life, helping West Georgia Technical College to educate tomorrow's automotive technicians in maintaining and repairing the world's ever-increasing number of vehicles with hybrid technology."

Photo Credit: WGTC

“I want to personally thank Google for their generous donation, which will serve as a valuable resource for our automotive technology program,” said Kim Learnard, WGTC Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “Partnerships with local business and industry are vital in order for us to fulfill the mission of providing our students with the necessary instruction and skills as they enter the workforce.”

West Georgia Tech automotive technology instructor Chip Comley said that the donation would have a significant impact in the program.

“It’s important to have a hybrid vehicle to work on,” he said. “This vehicle allows us to teach testing and diagnostics, repairs, and unique safety concerns to get our students ready to work on hybrids when they enter the workforce. I hope to be able to partner with Google for many years. Personally I want to thank Google for all that they do for our community and for thinking of West Georgia Tech.”

The hybrid will be used in the electrical, transmission, and engine performance sections of the automotive technology curriculum. 

West Georgia Tech’s automotive technology program offers an Automotive Technology Diploma and six certificate programs.

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties offers over 120 associate degree, diploma and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is the fourth largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges.