As with most sectors of the economy these days, car dealerships, service facilities and repair shops are looking for skilled workers. About 17 local companies recently found a talent pipeline close to home during a job fair specifically for the automotive industry held at Maxwell High School of Technology in Lawrenceville.
The school is home to an automotive program that enrolls about 150 students from around the county who learn their way around every component of a car.
“We’re the only school [in Gwinnett] with this program,” said Principal Jeff Hall. “It’s an elective choice that students take for 2.5 hours in morning or the afternoon. If they go to any school in the Gwinnett system, they can come here. But our biggest challenge is getting our name out there.”
Auto services teacher Rich Getrum agreed that getting kids enrolled has been tough.
“As much as we try to get the word out that we’re here, a lot of people don’t think kids are still learning to work on cars in high school,” he said. “But it gives them an option other than going on to a four-year college. Some go from this program to Gwinnett Tech to achieve an associate’s degree; some go directly into factory training. Most of our students get placed and stay with it.”
The program has been in place since the 1970s and has a solid track record of job placement. Introducing juniors and seniors to those employment possibilities was the goal of the job fair that brought industry reps to the school to discuss earning potential, training and more. Participants came from dealerships, independent shops, parts suppliers, truck repair shops, equipment repair companies, forklift repair facilities and technical colleges with auto and diesel programs. The Turk equipment rental company even came with a backhoe that students got to drive.
“We had dealerships and auto groups like the Hennessey franchises that represented about 40 employment opportunities across the metro area,” said Getrum. “But we also explain that there are many different pathways other than just automotive for students interested in working with their hands. We’ve developed good relationships with companies like Caterpillar and Yancey Brothers with heavy equipment that also needs to be serviced and repaired.”
The event produced immediate results, with about 10 students obtaining jobs. Senior Nick Ojeikere, who has been in the program for a year, was hired by Akins Ford.
“I’ll start as a porter, and hopefully, once I get my certifications, I can work my way into becoming a quick lane tech doing oil changes, brake jobs and recalls,” said Ojeikere. “I want to become a mechanic at a dealership then a master technician so I can open my own performance shop.”
Information about Maxwell High is online at gcpsk12.org.
SEND US YOUR STORIES. Each week we look at programs, projects and successful endeavors at area schools, from pre-K to grad school. To suggest a story, contact H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or 770-744-3042.
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