An automative teacher gets his students revved up about their future.
GUEST COLUMN | by Jeremy Oskins
Businesses across the country, from restaurants to manufacturing plants, are struggling to find qualified workers, and individuals on the ground are feeling the effects. According to a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, the labor shortage impacts all industries in nearly every state. If every unemployed worker were to fill an open job within their respective industry, there would still be millions of unfilled job positions. In fact, research from YouScience found that 86% of entry-level employees reportedly require substantial additional training to succeed.
I am working to prepare high school students to help meet the need for technicians and skilled workers in these industries. And I know we can engage students by providing mentorship and connecting education with in-demand career pathways because I see it happen daily.
‘… I know we can engage students by providing mentorship and connecting education with in-demand career pathways because I see it happen daily.’
There has been a spike in interest in technician and skilled trades careers in recent years. Today’s graduates entering the automotive industry can earn good salaries and benefit from employer-paid tuition or relocation reimbursement. One example is an early employment partnership between Universal Technical Institute and Crown Equipment (Crown). Crown offers selected UTI students a paid work experience opportunity of 20-30 hours a week while they complete their studies. UTI students who Crown hires full-time employment after graduation can also qualify for tuition reimbursement up to $20,000.
This is just one of the countless opportunities that exist in the industry.
There is no question that the path toward an automotive technician career is fruitful, but the question becomes, how can we ignite students’ passion for their education in these areas?
As an automotive teacher in a small rural community, I’ve seen firsthand how the right tools and opportunities can re-engage students in education. For many youngsters, traditional classroom settings can be a struggle. But by incorporating hands-on learning and leveraging technology, we can spark their interest and set them on a path to success.
Revving Up the Next Generation of Auto Techs With Technology and Opportunities
One of the most effective ways to engage students is to provide real-world experiences and connect learning to their interests. This summer, I took five of my students to Universal Technical Institute’s Summer Ignite program. It was a great opportunity for them to explore the skilled trades, work with industry professionals, and gain valuable hands-on experience. This kind of exposure can be a game-changer, inspiring students to pursue careers they may not have considered before.
During the school year, students in my Automotive Technology II practicum course, the fourth course of the program, can take on part-time automotive jobs. Through our partnerships with dealerships and other affiliates in the community, we can place students and gain access to the specific training software unique to these dealerships. This allows students to get formal classroom training while working after school, which could lead to post-graduation work programs at dealerships and sponsorship opportunities for technical school programs.
To replicate a real-world automotive shop environment, I’ve equipped my classroom with state-of-the-art tools and technology, including DVOM meters, electrical trainers, and industry-standard diagnostic software. I design and implement hands-on projects where students work on actual vehicles from start to finish. This immersive approach allows students to master essential skills such as customer service, diagnostic procedures, repair techniques, and quality control.
In the past year, I have nearly doubled the number of students in the automotive program (from 49 students last year to 78 students this year) by finding opportunities for students to explore careers outside of the classroom and implementing technology replicating what is used in the real world. By integrating technology and real-world experience, we’re empowering our students to become highly skilled technicians ready to excel in the automotive industry.
Tech-Savvy Students, Real-World Skills
As educators, we must remember that we are working with a generation where technology is their first language, with 86% of Gen Z agreeing technology is essential to their lives. For example, I can see the excitement from my students when a lesson from their automotive classes helps them better understand the automotive video games they know and love. By connecting students’ interests to the classroom, providing real-world learning opportunities, and allowing for hands-on learning about the latest technology, we can make school more engaging and relevant for today’s learners.
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Jeremy Oskins is a Career and Technical Education Teacher (including Automative and Robotics) at Comanche High School, part of Comanche ISD in Texas. He also serves a Skills USA and BEST Robotics sponsor. Connect with Jeremy here.
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