Please note: At the time of this post, the dealership is owned by Bill Marsh Auto Group and is referred to as ‘Bill Marsh’ throughout this article. Bill Marsh will join the Serra Automotive family on May 6, 2024 and the Automotive Technician Apprentice Program will be transitioned to Serra.
Bill Marsh is thrilled to be the first dealership in the 10-county Northwest Michigan region to be approved by the US Department of Labor for their Automotive Technician Apprentice Program in partnership with Northwest Michigan Works!
The program is approximately two years long and each participant receives a US Department of Labor (DOL) Automotive Technician Specialist Certificate after completion.
Bill Marsh HR Director Nicole Bradley and Fixed Operations Director Rich King worked with Jane Breederland of Northwest Michigan Works! to develop the program.
“I was exploring technician recruiting and stumbled upon details about the program. I contacted Michigan Works! and with their support, we designed our program based on what we were already doing, and it was approved by the DOL. The approval process took about one year to complete and about eight months to launch after we received our official certification from the DOL. It’s exciting to be the first dealership in the area to be able to offer this program!” Nicole Bradley shared.
As participants in the company’s very first program, seven Master Mechanics will serve as mentors to five apprentices within the Bill Marsh service departments.
“Northwest Michigan Works! is pleased to partner with Bill Marsh Auto Group on this unique US Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for Automotive Technician Specialists,” says Evelyn Szpliet, Regional Director of Apprenticeship Services at Northwest Michigan Works!
“The customized training includes on-the-job learning with professional mentors aligned with a minimum of 144 hours of employer-led curriculum,” Szpliet explains. “This program allows apprentices to gain stackable credentials along with the US Department of Labor National Occupational Certification. We are very proud to be serving proactive employers like Bill Marsh Auto Group through registered apprenticeship programming,” Szpliet adds.
The first Master Mechanic mentors include Jeff Trewhella, Craig Beaty, Brad Kroupa, Cody Morrison, Travis Haddix, Steve Neidermeier, and Russell Smith.
The first class of apprentices includes Caleb St. John, Mike Frey, Mack Schumacher-Sprang, Kory Brahm, and James Wall.
“This program is competency-based and the Mentor to Mentee ratio is 1:1. Our mentors provide on-the-job training for apprentices, and apprentices also participate in the classroom instruction,” adds Bradley.
After successful completion of the program, their earned DOL Automotive Technician Apprentice Certificates will help participants grow their careers at their current employer and/or can follow them anywhere.
“What I like about this registered apprenticeship program is that it’s structured with both classroom and hands-on training with an experienced mentor technician, learning and practicing the skills necessary to be successful as an automotive technician,” says Rich King.
“Working on today’s vehicles is difficult and having one-on-one guidance will help the apprentices move further faster than trying to figure things out on their own. My hope is we’ll get more interest in the registered apprenticeship program as well to continue to fill our future technician needs,” King adds.
To learn more about opportunities and open positions, check out our careers feed here.
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