A recent thread on iATN got me thinking about the relationship between automotive trade schools and the industry they serve.
An instructor was comparing the support for his automotive program to that of the school's heavy equipment program. He said the heavy equipment class is visited almost weekly by a prospective employer who gives advice about what the students should be learning, and they often bring construction equipment for training purposes. As a result, that class turns out graduates he called "ready to go to work." The teacher also says the other classes in his school are frequently visited by people from their respective trades. Last year, he said, only two people from the automotive service industry visited his class.
It's a common situation, but it's only part of the picture. OEMs such as General Motors, Ford, Toyota and others contract with trade schools to operate programs to train and qualify entry-level techs for their dealerships. While these programs turn out techs who are arguably "ready to go to work," it's only partly because of the money and equipment they provide. They also make sure people from the company or from the local dealers become involved in the students' education.
So what does the aftermarket do to support technician training?
Almost every OE and most of the parts manufacturers, major tool companies and several other aftermarket suppliers support technician training programs with donations of vehicles, information, tools and equipment, instruction and/or funding. Almost all of those donations go to public schools and community colleges whose programs are not vehicle-specific.
But before those donations are made, an instructor must demonstrate the value of his training program. The OEs and the aftermarket eagerly support programs that are evaluated by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and/or Automotive Youth Education Systems (AYES) and then certified by ASE, but other industry and board of education certifications are accepted, too. So what do training programs need to gain certification?
One critical component is an advisory committee that includes members from independent shops, dealerships and parts houses. This panel can be an invaluable asset to the instructor. In addition to teaching, ordering supplies, maintaining tools and equipment and coordinating their students' work/study programs, instructors also must justify their budgets to their school administrators.
An instructor's two most powerful tools for getting what he needs are program certification and an advisory committee. With their recommendations on equipment and course topics, the instructor can prove the relevance and value of his program to administrators, students and their parents and most importantly, to the aftermarket that provides vehicles, parts and other resources for his shop. The advisors also can tell an instructor what technical skills are needed most by the community his school serves.
That community is you. And the beauty of it is, not only will your advice make the school more likely to turn out truly useful technicians, being on the committee doesn't cost you a dime. All that's needed is your advice and a little time.
They may not know it all, but the students who finish trade school are talented, educated, ready to work and eager to learn more. All their instructors need from you is advice on what to teach and what equipment to buy. A few meetings and classroom visits a year just might be the easiest and most rewarding investment you can make in your industry's future, and maybe the future of your own shop.
