UCN
Used Car News
11/29/2021
Next Generation Mechanics Seek Work By Jeffrey Bellant
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People like Jason Hoover and Jim Palmer are preparing the next generation of auto mechanics for an industry desperately in need of them. Jason Hoover is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructor at Utica Community Schools in southeast Michigan. Jim Palmer is lead instructor and program coordinator for automotive technology at Highland Community College in Freeport, Ill. Hoover’s district has three auto shop programs, each with 150 students annually. While in high school, Hoover’s students start out at oil change places, parts stores or as porters. “But the college grads, they’re starting off in full-time work as certified mechanics,” Hoover said. Hoover, a former mechanic, said some parents discourage their kids from getting into auto mechanics and instead go into engineering, for example. “But they can send that job anywhere,” he said. Several of his students have gone on to University of Northwestern Ohio, a small, private trade school in Lima, Ohio. “I’ve never had a student who went through a trade school like UNOH and not get hired, and hired pretty well,” Hoover said. “I had a student who graduated in 2015, I think. He spent two years at college, so he’s been out about three years on the job and he’s making more than I do.” While Hoover sees strong attendance in his high school classes, Palmer said enrollment is low at his college’s auto tech program. Palmer agrees with Hoover that no one is pushing kids into this trade. But he added the auto tech industry also needs sharp engineer-
ing minds. One challenge for new hires is that they sometimes start out making a more modest wage, while their friends working in fast food are starting out at $15 an hour, Hoover said. Palmer agrees that new techs start out with simple tasks before going to flat rate work. However, the right worker can make a career of it. Even with all the education and technical know-how, something else is needed. “I’ve got one former student who’s at a Chrysler dealer, and he was one of my stellar students,” Palmer said. “They started him out with oil changes, but now they’re throwing him jobs because his work ethic is stellar, and he doesn’t say no. “He gets to work on time and he doesn’t have his frickin’ face in his phone.” Palmer added he won’t lie to dealers just to get a student hired. At least 50% of his graduates end
up in the industry for a long time. Palmer keeps up with the industry because he’s still in it. “When I’m not teaching, I actually own half of a shop, so I definitely keep my hands dirty,” he said. He urges dealers to understand that keeping a good employee is a two-way street. No. 1, pay is important. “I’m not saying start him out at $25 an hour, but give them a wage that’s attractive,” Palmer said. “If you pay them fairly and they work for you, for God‘s sake, give them a raise after 30 days.” No. 2, dealers need to acknowledge their mechanics and encourage them. Let them know they are part of a team. “No. 3, be a mentor,” Palmer said. “You’ve got to help that younger guy.” He wants veterans to remember their first day on the job and help the next generation out. “I’m not saying give them a trophy Continud on page 6
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