MCC in the Sweet 16

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) students enrolled in the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) qualified for the Sweet 16 in the 2025 Mopar CAP Bracket Challenge. Nearly 100 schools throughout the country who host Mopar CAP programs were eligible to compete. MCC was selected for the second straight year on the strength of its 100% employment rate among two student cohorts totaling 20 participants.

The MCC Mopar CAP program, which began being offered at MCC in 2023, is part of a nationwide effort by Mopar to train and employ entry-level automotive technicians for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships. The Mopar CAP Bracket Challenge brings together Mopar CAP partner schools throughout the country to participate in friendly technical and curriculum-based competition. In 2024, the inaugural year of the Bracket Challenge, MCC advanced to the Final Four.

For this year’s event, the two final winning schools will compete in Auburn Hills, Mich., the home of the Mopar National Tech Training Center, and return to their respective schools with temporary possession of a 2018 Dodge Demon Charger.

Four MCC students have been selected to represent the College, starting with a head-to-head competition in Round 1 on Oct. 8 against Mass Bay Community College (Wellesley, Mass.). Students from each school will take a written test on recent Mopar CAP curriculum. The team with the highest cumulative score will advance to Round 2 — the Elite 8 — where a potential matchup awaits with last year’s national champion, SUNY Morrisville (Morrisville, N.Y.).

In Round 2, two students will share their resumes and do mock interviews proctored by Mopar CAP relationship managers. Schools who advance to the Final Four will go on the road to their nearest Stellantis Tech Training Center (Kansas City for MCC students) where they will participate in timed and judged technical challenges similar to SkillsUSA competitions.

MCC Mopar CAP instructor Chad Woodworth has been preparing the team for the event and has confidence in their ability to perform.

“This is our second year participating, so we know what to expect going in, and I have all the confidence in the world in the ability of our students. They have all been working hard to prepare for this unique, hands-on learning opportunity,” Woodworth said. “We’re excited our students are able to have this experience during their education at MCC and are grateful for the support of our industry partners and for their involvement in the success of our students,” Woodworth said.

Finals take place in Auburn Hills Dec. 2. Visit mccneb.edu/Mopar-CAP for more information about the MCC Mopar CAP program.