With all the doom-and-gloom about skilled labor shortages, you’d think that because of the lack of incoming Automotive Technicians, we may soon be back to transportation options like horse ‘n buggy or worse…walking.
While the skilled trade labor shortage continues to be a concern, I saw hope and a bright spot in our future…and it’s right here in Northern Michigan.
This past week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in “Mock Interviews” at Northwest Education Services Career Tech (formerly CTC).
Northwest Ed is located in Traverse City and serves many of the school districts in our area. It’s a career and technical center designed to help students prepare for a career, or at the very least, learn what they like and don’t like and help sort out what’s next.
They offer much more than technical training: They help students learn valuable skills like communication, work ethic, problem-solving, interviewing, and building a resume.
I was excited to be included in the group of local industry partners who were invited to sit down with some 150-ish students to test their skills and help them prepare for success.
These students were from many different programs, and I was assigned to work with the Auto Repair Students.
I’ve been working with the program for a number of years and I can tell you this: The quality of the classes, students, and overall preparation is improving. Next year, the facility will have nearly 1,200 students and the Automotive Programs are filling fast—some even have wait lists.
Here’s what I found with the students in the Auto Tech program:
- They were prepared
- They arrived on time and greeted me with friendly smiles, eye contact, and handshakes.
- All of them had a nicely prepared resume—some were very impressive indeed.
- They sat up straight and did not have a phone with them (one kid didn’t even own one—WHAT?)
- About half were not going to pursue the field of Automotive but said the experience has helped them in finding what they are interested in.
- All of them had jobs!
- They were able to clearly tell me about themselves, their strengths, and weaknesses, and were very open and honest about themselves.
- Several had enrolled or were going to enroll in secondary education at a Trade School for Auto Repair.
- A few planned on attending the NMC Auto Program and getting their Associate’s Degree along with the certificate.
- Most had good overall GPAs, and there was even a 4.0 student in the mix.
- And finally, they seemed engaged, and to be having fun.
I would have hired each and every one of them.
The last several years have seen a renewed interest in the trades, of all kinds. Parents and educators alike are supporting the need for smart, talented people to pursue some type of trade career path.
It’s working, folks. So keep up the good work.
Parents, if you have kids in school, talk to them about what they want, and look at the resources such as N.W.E. Career Tech or others like it.
The bottom line: We have some really talented young people about to enter the workforce, who want to work and want to succeed.
We just have to support them, walk alongside them, and help them find their path.
Good luck to all of you who participated in the interviews. You, your parents, and your teachers should all be very proud!
Lastly, if you are looking to work someplace awesome, check us out at serracareerstraversecity.com.
Thanks for reading and Keep It Movin’.
– Rusty Fender
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