Solving the technician shortage, one at a time

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(Arianne Starnes-Teeple/For The Examiner)
William Herman, 20, AYES student, watches as his mentor Rodney Kahler, 41, technician for the Miller Brothers Automotive Family Dealerships in Ellicott City, works on a van on Thursday as part of a Automotive Youth Educational Program in which companies try to encourage young people to consider a career in retail automotive service.

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Patrick Sells, service manager at Miller Brothers, Ellicott City, has living proof that the Automotive Youth Educational System program works.

In these days where dealers across the country bemoan the dearth of auto technicians, Sells has four technicians who have been homegrown via the AYES program.

“For us it has worked out very well,” Sells said. “It gives us people that we can start completely fresh with that haven’t learned [poor] practices.”

The AYES program began with funding by General Motors and 13 other major automakers.

The program also receives federal and other funding. In Maryland, the state Department of Education contributes to the program, which involves 13 schools and 36 auto dealers, said AYES State Manager Richard Glenn.

High school students apply and go through a selection process.

Once in, they complete 11th grade summer internships, part-time work during senior year, and then two years of post-high school employment.

“We are looking for the best of the best,” Glenn said. “It’s great to watch them grow and mature as they go through the program.”

The AYES program provides student with up-to-date tools and training. Improved training equals better results and higher customer satisfaction.

William Herman, 20, a 2004 graduate of South Carroll High School, said the program gave him a chance to actually “go out and work” in order to learn a skill. “I want to stay with the dealer and work right here,” he said.

But not all the students opt to continue as technicians, instead taking advantage of one of more than the 50-plus available auto career paths.

One such student is Ryan Washington, 20, who also graduated from South Carroll in 2004.

Like Herman, he’s spent two years working as a technician at Miller Brothers.

Now, he plans to head to Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich., to study automotive engineering.

“I never would have seen myself in this industry if I hadn’t heard of the program,” Washington said.

Having choices is what the program is all about.

“We aren’t the end for these students,” Glenn said. “We’re the beginning.”

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» For more information about AYES, go to www.ayes.org

SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY

EMAIL STORY

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32 days ago: A retirement plan that works for small business

115 days ago: Finksburg looks to improve beyond gateway credit

117 days ago: City opens arms to small businesses

148 days ago: Home Depot drops South City proposal

177 days ago: Economy cools small-business climate

554 days ago: Maryland exports up in 2006, state economic officials say

554 days ago: Coffee lover turns passion into profits

561 days ago: Lacrosse group looking for new digs

568 days ago: Many diamonds in the rough

620 days ago: Board of Trade looks to 2007