Anyone involved in technician apprenticeship or internship programs?

[Joe Marconi]

The local automotive trade school in my area wants to start an apprenticeship and internship program. They feel that today, many students do not get the exposure that mechanics did years back, working in gas stations and repair shops. Many go on the schools like UTI but have no practical experience. When they get out into the workforce they are too green.

 

I am on the schools advisory committee and they brought this up at the last meeting and wanted to know if the shops in the area would participate.

 

If there is anyone who has experience with high school or auto trade school apprenticeship or internship programs, please let me know your thoughts and comments.

 

Thanks!

[Jeff]

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[xrac]

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[slowtech]

I believe an apprentice program has merit. If developed and implemented in a manner that benefits the employers. An evaluation test to determine best possible

candidates and online knowledge training while working in a sponsor shop could be an affordable way to learn the trade.

Edited May 11, 2014 by slowtech

[Tires Too]

I sit on the local high school's advisory board for the automotive program. The problem that they have, just like we have, is getting kids with the needed skills and aptitude involved in the program. What the solution is, I do not know. The perception of auto techs, just like many of the trades, is that it is below many of the better students. Maybe we, as shop owners, need to open a dialog with the guidance counselors at these schools so they understand the needs of the industry and what the benefits of a career in the industry are.

 

We have worked with several Vo-Tech schools to do an internship with some of the students. It has been a mixed bag. Some should not have been in the program, but I have hired several of the kids as they graduated.

 

The high school and Vo-Tech programs in conjunction with AYES and NATEF have worked to change their programs so that these kids can be productive with light repairs and maintenance work when they start.

[Dee1234]

I have had a couple trainees before. 1 had been to a UTI type school and paid lots of money...and didnt know the basic "lefty loosey, righty tighty"...not even an oil change for this guy. But i remember when i was starting 10 years ago. I didnt know anything, but i was eager to learn. So i was a sponge and excelled quickly. Its all about the individual candidate. I thin it can work out for student and employer. But needs to be shop that has the time to train and nuture and student that is open vessel.

[xrac]

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