All eyes were on a 2024 Ford Mustang GT inside of the automotive technology program workshop at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC).

Under the Ford Ace Program, an initiative aimed at promoting automotive careers, local dealership Fred Martin Ford donated the vehicle to the school.

"Students can go ahead and get a better handle of the new technology that are on these vehicles," Jeff Bacho, Fred Martin Ford operations manager said. 

MCCTC students enrolled in the automotive technology program learn about automotive systems, from engine performance to electrical diagnostics.

The program instructor, Thomas Morris said the majority of their cars are used and have aged. But now for the first time, students can work with a vehicle equipped with the latest technology. This new addition is set to give the students a competitive edge when they enter the job market.

"Everything's controlled by a computer or some type of electrical thing now. [You] have to be able to read the different data coming out of the scan tool," Morris said.