The first priority is to understand that a long-term commitment is needed to have a significant affect on the need to stem the lack of qualified entry-level technicians into the automotive repair field.

The following paragraphs will briefly describe various activities that employers can participate in that have been proven effective.

Partner with your local Instructor: One of the most important things you could do is start a relationship with you local automotive instructor. Some instructors feel like they are isolated and fighting the battle to keep their programs alive all by themselves. They deserve and could use an ally. This could be their connection to our industry and its associations. Some do not realize that we care what happens to them and that we are willing to help, and they don't know who to ask for help and we don't know how.

It's important that we take the first step and initiate the contact, but remember that this is for the long haul. Don't expect that a contact here and there will foster a beneficial relationship. It has to be nurtured. An ongoing relationship creates interaction between the individuals that fosters mutual support. This overcomes the reluctance to contact someone that's just a name on a list.

Site Visitation: You can make your repair facility available for students to visit to get a firsthand view of the workplace. Most have never seen past the office or reception area of a real repair facility and may not have an accurate perception of what we do or where we do it. A short visit, either individually or in groups, could enhance their perception. One of two things will result. The student will either be turned on or off. Either is okay. If they continue to be interested, the student progresses to the next step.

Job Shadowing: This involves individual students shadowing the activities of one employee for an hour or two and to interact personally with the employee. This provides further insight into what we actually do to repair vehicles. The opportunity is presented for a student to learn the challenges of the job, career opportunities, benefits, educational requirements, and the need for continual education. If the interest is still present, they progress to the next step.

Co-op Education: (Also, internships) This stage involves the student actually working in the facility, under supervision, on rudimentary repair and service activities. The employer should quickly be able to size up the potential of the student with respect to their progression into a qualified technician. i.e. Does the student maintain good attendance? Does the student comprehend instructions well? Does the student have a positive mental attitude? These areas are crucial if the student is to progress.

This activity is not to be used for a student to be the janitor or "gofer," but to be allowed to learn, hands-on, the basic skills and practices that will lead to a qualified technician. In the right environment, coupled with formal automotive education, a student can progress into a valued and productive employee.

Career Days: Most schools will have an career day that allows business and follow-on education representatives to showcase their opportunities for students. Some of these events will have 80 or more displays providing the students with a wealth of information. It is crucial that the automotive repair industry be represented. Recruitment begins in junior high schools and is especially significant with a lot of students because of the career pathways that are planned before they reach high school.

1 on 1 mentoring: In this activity, instructors ask their students if anyone would like the opportunity to talk 1 on 1 with a business representative. For those that answer yes, a meeting is set up and the students can ask their questions. This usually involves a student that wants to pursue a particular automotive career and wants the talk to someone from that area. Student reactions have been very favorable to this.

Mock Job Interviews: This activity simulates a job interview conducted by a business representative to provide the students with the procedures and insights of the job interview. Most have never had this opportunity and can learn a lot from the experience. Usually the actual interview session is limited to about 15 minutes to provide time for the setup and critique.

This is also a good activity for an automotive VICA (Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) meeting.

Classroom Presentations: Who better than a technician to visit a classroom and do a presentation on one of their specialty areas? This can augment an instructor's coverage and provide "real world" expertise. The instructors may not be fully qualified on the latest systems that we see everyday. This also provides interaction with industry personnel that they would not get otherwise.

Equipment Donations: Most school automotive facilities are under budgeted and don't have the funds available to buy the equipment that they need for up to date instruction. In our fast pace world, equipment is outdated fast and the trade-in credit is small. When you have equipment that would be of use to a school shop, call your local school first and if they can't use it, post it on the "Businesses offering Donations" page of this site.

Advisory Boards: Be a member of your local school's automotive advisory board. Your school doesn't have one? Get one started. This can be the start of a relationship between the school and local automotive businesses that can create a win-win situation. You can contribute to the automotive program and be first in line for good potential technicians since you know the instructor and he knows you. Also, instructors need to know that you care about them and their programs.

School to Career Expo: Combine the local schools in an area and put on a "School to Career Expo." This activity allows local automotive businesses to show first-hand what our industry offers, and provide students with direct contact with industry representatives. Include post-secondary education opportunities, and you have a dynamite event.

Annual Events: There are several major automotive events that you could help plan, sponsor, on participate in, that need all the help they can get. Take a moment to review those listed on the "Student Events Schedule," and pick one to find out about. In general, you can get involved as deeply as you want, and receive a great deal of satisfaction for your efforts.

Hold a position on your local School Board: Most school board members don't know much about career and technical education and therefore don't support it which leads to the loss of programs such as automotive. After all, an automotive lab is usually the most costly program to a school, and when compared to a classroom for English that can basically be supplied with a box of chalk, automotive is one of the first programs considered for elimination to save money.

"Any help you can give to the education of future automotive technicians is more than they would have received had you done nothing."