EAST PEORIA (25News Now) – Illinois Central College’s East Campus celebrated its 50th annual Power Show and Automotive Open House, giving future technicians a chance to get hands-on experience with technology and careers in the automotive industry.
Throughout the 50 years of the ICC Power Show and Automotive Open House, many things have changed. From classic cars to today’s newest models, the vehicles on display all have one thing in common: what’s under the hood.
ICC said the event allows students to learn and get a feel for automotive work experience out of high school by testing out hands-on activities and technology demonstrations.
Trevor Imm, instructor and program coordinator for GM ASEP, said the event connects students with the college’s facilities, instructors and current students.
“It gives them an opportunity to see a little bit what it’s about and see our facilities, of course, meet the instructors, meet our students,” Imm said. “We also have our current ICC students here working this event and interacting with these students. So able to kind of connect some of the dots there of what we do.”
Along with learning and demo opportunities, ICC also had car manufacturing businesses on hand to speak with students about potential automotive careers.
Rocky Griffin, service manager at Sam Leman Ford, said the event helps students put a face with a business.
“Just to know there’s opportunities out there to put a face with a place,” Griffin said. “So we always tell them they can just come look up any of us at any store. We tell them where we’re from and come look us up. We’ll help them get a job, get them to work.”
More than 300 students tried out new skills or worked to perfect existing ones for future careers at the event.
Organizers said that even though technology is changing, learning and understanding what’s under the hood remains important.
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