High school students, start your engines.

Rogue Community College’s Automotive Department says it’s “driving workforce development forward” by donating surplus vehicles to three area high schools — Illinois Valley, Grants Pass and Phoenix — to support their automotive programs.

RCC continues to expand its Automotive Technology Program, and the Automotive Department identified vehicles no longer needed as lab aids, according to a news release.

The community college “saw an opportunity to benefit local students by partnering with high school automotive programs in Jackson and Josephine counties … to provide the next generation of technicians with hands-on training resources.”

“We are always looking for ways to strengthen career pathways for students,” said RCC’s Dean of Applied Technology and Visual Arts Stephen Phelps. “By donating these vehicles, we’re helping high school students gain real-world experience, preparing them for success in the automotive industry and beyond.”

While some of the donated vehicles were not in running condition, Goodfellas Towing — a Josephine County-based business — volunteered its services to transport the vehicles, ensuring they reached their new homes, including Phoenix High School in Jackson County, the release noted.

RCC’s Automotive Technology Program is nationally accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation and provides students with cutting-edge training in automotive diagnostics, repair and technology, according to the release. With the college’s ongoing investment in Transportation Technology facilities and programming, “RCC is reinforcing its commitment to preparing students for in-demand careers in Southern Oregon’s automotive industry,” officials said.

For more information about RCC’s Automotive Technology Program, visit www.RogueCC.edu/dept/automotive/.