Learning a Trade by Hand

They are eager to learn all they can about all aspects of the automotive industry. To help meet this challenge, Findlay Hyundai on Willow Creek Road in Prescott has partnered with Yavapai College to provide five newer engines and two transmissions, as well as a 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe to be used for hands-on education inside the automotive technology lab at the college.

The timing is fortuitous as the outlook for automotive careers is increasingly rosy.                                             

“Everyone is always hiring,” said Benjamin Clifton, service manager at Findlay Hyundai. “Dealerships are looking for a qualified technician, someone who, if they don’t have actual real-world experience, they do have some kind of technical experience.”                                                                                                                                                                                

Clifton was one of three Findlay Hyundai staff, including Ben Hollibaugh, general manager, and Saben Vernados, parts manager, who supervised the delivery of the large boxes of auto parts and the vehicle to the YC auto tech lab on Sept. 28, via a truck and a flatbed trailer. The fact that the parts and automobile are fairly current models is a real plus for technical training.   

“Hyundai vehicles and engines are particularly suitable for instruction purposes, because they represent the modern technology that these students will need to understand prior to entering the workforce,” Clifton said.

Hollibaugh said he and Clifton conceived of the idea to donate to the automotive program at the college. “We thought it would be a great idea to give back to our local community and our local college by providing modern engines and vehicles to help educate the up-and-coming students to be prepared for the workforce once they graduate,” Hollibaugh said. “This isn’t just a one-time donation. We plan to continue donating and contributing our time and resources to the college for years to come.”

The plan includes giving opportunities to students to have internships during their time at Yavapai College, and also to provide full-time job opportunities once they complete the program. The Hyundai parts and the vehicle donated to the college are worth approximately $12,500.

According to the Yavapai College automotive technology website, “This program prepares students for employment, at all levels, in the increasingly sophisticated automotive repair industry. Students gain knowledge of computerized shop equipment, electronic automotive components, mechanical systems, chemistry, physics and diagnostic techniques, all while developing their skills with traditional hand tools. Instruction in entrepreneurial and business techniques cap the program.”

Jerrad Smith, a key member of the automotive faculty at Yavapai College, said the college bought the old Ruger casting building on Ruger Road in Prescott about 15 years ago and moved the automotive technical and career programs over from the main campus to the new building, which is located about 10 miles north of the airport.

“Our building is quite impressive; it’s over 118,000 square feet,” Smith said. “It’s not just automotive; it’s been growing ever since. There’s gunsmithing, welding, residential construction, unmanned aircraft system, instrumentation and technology, the full body shop program, and the automotive program, including the diesel program.”

There are three teachers just for the automotive program. “Enrollment is huge,” he said. “Just in automotive repair, we have right around 200 students. Everyone is hiring, including dealerships, independent automotive shops, anyone who is doing automotive repairs, municipalities like the City of Prescott and the Town of Prescott Valley. Anyone who does automotive repair is looking for techs.”

In the last decade, the need for automotive technicians has expanded. “It’s been a growing issue because you’ve got a lot of guys retiring out, a lot of baby boomers, and not enough people to replace then,” said Smith, adding that about 80% of the students currently in the automotive program at Yavapai College are high school students, many of whom plan on entering the automotive industry right after graduation.

High school students come to the college during regularly scheduled school-day hours, and their auto tech education is provided at no cost. They drive themselves or are bused by their school districts.

“We get high school students from all over, from Ash Fork, Seligman, Prescott Valley,” he said. “Our students range from 16 all the way up to 70, in some cases. People are taking it for general interest, too, to work on their own cars.”

In addition, more and more women are entering automotive programs. “This is my 15th year teaching here, and this is the most females I’ve had in any given semester,” said Smith.

The Santa Fe that was donated is GDI, gasoline direct injection, “which is pretty much what all the new engines are now,” said Clinton, who notes that Findlay Hyundai technicians will be assisting the YC auto tech students.

“I’ve talked to the instructor over there to set something up for one of my technicians to go over there twice a month to answer any questions, such as what to expect when working in a dealership and what to focus on before getting a job in a dealership,” he said.                   

In the future, Hyundai officials say they may also provide course curriculum. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Courtesy Photo: Standing in front of the Hyundai Santa Fe automobile donated to the auto technology program at Yavapai College are, from left, three members of Findlay Hyundai in Prescott: Saben Vernados, parts manager, Ben Hollibaugh, general manager, Ben Clifton, service manager, and, from Yavapai College, Jerrad Smith, automotive faculty.