Area businesses, including automobile dealerships, independent repair facilities and tractor service facilities have discovered a way to find the highly-skilled technicians they need at Lamar CISD.
“We are hiring quality auto technicians by partnering with Lamar Consolidated ISD’s Automotive Technology program,” said Troy Schroeder, Service Manager for Gillman Honda.
Students are getting experience working on more than just cars.
“This is a win, win program. Businesses win and the students win,” said Gary Allred, Manager with Rosenberg Tractor. “The Lamar Consolidated Automotive Youth Education System (AYES) program gives businesses the opportunity to help mold their future employees.”
Students who are in their second or third year of taking the Automotive Technology courses in LCISD begin the process by shadowing current employees at the business. Students who have a passion for the industry are then interviewed by the businesses for paid internship positions. The students who are selected work full-time at the businesses during the summer between their junior and senior year of high school, continue part-time during the school year and commit to work for the employer for two years after high school graduation.
“Good technicians are hard to find, so we’re growing ours through the Lamar AYES,” said Crystal Anderson, Service Manager at Southwest Kia.
“We are proud to participate in this program that helps students enter automotive careers and addresses our need for technicians,” said Luis Hidalgo, Service Manager at Legacy Ford.
Legacy Ford, Southwest Kia, Rosenberg Tractor and Gillman Honda are all members of the Automotive Business and Education Partnership, which is seeking additional businesses to join and help grow the program.
“LCISD needs more businesses to accommodate the growing interest of young people in automotive related careers,” said Deon Wilson, LCISD Automotive Instructor. “These students have the interest and enthusiasm and the business can help mold them into the highly skilled, highly paid employees who are currently in high demand.”
Interested businesses should contact Wilson at 832.223.3187 or LCISD CTE Director Tracie Holub at 832-223-0128.