Grow your shop pipeline by working with tech programs
Many students are learning auto tech skills in high school and college programs. You can learn how to build relationships with these programs to find fresh industry talent; here are a few recommendations:
High School Career Technical Education Centers
Get to know your Auto Career Technical Education (CTE) Program
- Join the Advisory Board.
- Join me for a school visit! Throughout the year, I visit all of the NH tech centers. This is a great way to meet future technicians right in your back yard.
- Get “skin in the game” by offering to supply the program with products they need and/or provide access to your dealership/shop.
- Attend open houses and career days hosted by the CTE Center, show your support, engage with the program and be relevant.
- If your CTE offers internships for their students, become an internship site. You will benefit from having a first look at potential employees by hosting co-op students at your shop.
- Design a mentoring program at your shop to keep students engaged and learning how you want them to.
Community College Auto Tech Programs
- Franchise dealers should join the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) brand-specific Advisory Board that will funnel students directly into your shops.
- Independent dealers enjoy far more flexibility, but involvement is equal; join the local community college auto tech program Advisory Board of your choice. What isn’t a choice is not joining one at all if we are to be truly successful.
- Develop a pay matrix that demonstrates how, when benchmarks are met, pay will increase from summer to summer or semester to semester through graduation.
- Consider utilizing the Tuition Reimbursement Grant NHADA offers to pay for one class a semester for your co-op students.
- Heavy Equipment and Heavy Diesel members can work with NHADA to directly support the program at White Mountains Community College.
EVERYONE must be equally involved and committed to ensuring a healthy, robust and sustainable pipeline of highly qualified technicians for our industry. In addition to the above, sponsor students by purchasing a ticket for the Foundation's Big Raffle and attend all New Hampshire Automobile Education Foundation events.
If you have any questions regarding any of the above, or workforce development as a whole, don't hesitate to reach out to me directly at amemmolo@nhada.com or 603-224-2369.
