Fairfax County Schools and the Washington Area New Automotive Dealers and Ford Motor Company Technicians Apprentice Training Program

Both secondary and post-secondary students are served at the newly renovated facility. In addition to the FCPS students enrolled in auto technology at Marshall Academy during the day, graduates of FCPS that have taken automotive technology are eligible to apply for enrollment into this WANADA-sponsored post-secondary technician-training program. This is a “no cost” educational program for all students. The participating dealerships are picking up all related costs for the program. In addition, WANADA is providing a free set of starter tools for each student.

Post-secondary students accepted into this program by successfully completing an application and participating in an interview process conducted by WANADA staff work 40 hours a week at participating dealerships. On the job they receive training, mentoring from a master technician, and an hourly wage. In addition, these apprentices may receive college credit for the six hours of classroom instruction each week from Montgomery College in Rockville , MD. Classroom instruction takes place two evenings a week at Marshall High School Academy and is lead by a FCPS automotive technology teacher who is a master certified technician. Our goal is to have all students complete the eight Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) examinations and become certified automotive master technicians. The ASE certifications are used as progress benchmarks with steady pay increases for each level achieved. In fact, Ford Motor Company is rewarding each student with $1,000.00 for passing the ASE brakes and steering and suspension exams.

The Fairfax County Public Schools, Washington Area New Automotive Dealers, and Ford Motor Company Technician Apprentice Training Program was inaugurated in June 2001 with 15 student trainees. Today, 12 apprentices are in the program working at various Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mazda and Volvo dealerships. This is a retention rate of 80 percent. Currently, 35 trainees are poised for the next class which begins with assignments to dealerships in May and June and classroom training beginning in September.

John Swift, operations manager for Cherner Lincoln-Mercury/Isuzu/Kia in McLean , VA , said “I would certainly take a WANADA/FORD/FCPS trainee over any tech you can find through a newspaper ad. With WANADA doing the pre-employment screening and aptitude testing, this makes the service managers life a lot easier when you have someone who is pre-qualified.”

For the training class of 2003, 69 potential students who will be graduating from high schools this June have shown interest by filling out an application. That number is expected to grow as WANADA program coordinators conduct more recruitment visits to the 11 Fairfax County high schools offering automotive technology programs. Archie Avedisian, a WANADA coordinator and an active volunteer for The Boys Club of America, takes this opportunity not only to meet with the students enrolled in the automotive technology programs, but also to meet with the teachers, career counselors and building administrators.

A new study released by Automotive Retailing Today (ART) shows few students, parents, and educators are aware of the 35,000 people needed for new high-paying auto technician jobs. ART released the results of a new comprehensive study it commissioned with Wirthlin Worldwide to measure awareness of and attitudes towards auto industry careers among students, parents and educators. The bad news is that only two percent of all teens (13-18 years old) would choose a career in the automotive industry. But the good news is that disinterest results from lack of information, and quickly reverses when they learn about the high demand and pay. “Sixty-five percent said they would be more likely to seek a career as an automotive technician when they heard that, as master technicians, they can make in a range of $70,000 – $100,000 a year doing something that gives them great satisfaction,” said ART chairman Jim Willingham.

With support and resources routed directly from the manufacturer to a high school automotive program, the results are incredible. High expectations, industry standards, student achievement, and professionalism continue to grow and flourish at a phenomenal rate. In addition, this partnership has rallied all stakeholders to do a better job in combating outdated images of the industry and is raising awareness among students, parents, and educators about the potential of a career in this industry. Collectively, we are aiming to bolster our current standing and offer exceptional opportunities to today’s youth knowing very well that they hold the key to our future. We only hope other manufacturers will follow Ford’s lead.