This is the second consecutive summer MassBay Community College and Framingham High School have held an automotive technology summer boot camp to help strengthen the pipeline of trained technicians. The boot camp, which has been funded through Framingham Public School, MassBay, and Youth Connections/MassHire grant, will provide 25 Framingham High rising junior and senior students the opportunity to engage in a three-week hands-on intensive workshop to learn more about the automotive industry. This program was created to provide students with career exploration in an in-demand STEM field.
“The automotive industry continues to face a critical shortage of trained automotive technicians, and MassBay’s leading auto tech program is uniquely positioned to help,” said MassBay Automotive Technology Dean David Protano. “This is the second year we are collaborating with our partners at Framingham High School to provide a comprehensive look into the automotive field, what it takes to become a tech, and how working at a dealership or independent auto shop can provide a profitable and solid career path. We hope that the students participating in the boot camp will want to continue in the automotive industry, building a strong pipeline for the local workforce.”
MassBay automotive faculty designed an extensive curriculum that includes an overview of safety and tool maintenance, tire repairs and balancing, warranty and recall services, automotive repair pay scales, the diagnostic process, safety in the automotive labs, and other auto services. In addition to the free automotive classes, students participating in the program will receive a $1,500 stipend and students who successfully complete the program are eligible to intern with McGovern Automotive Group to immerse themselves in the auto industry.
“In the second year of Framingham High School’s the Student Success Academy (SSA) we’ve continued to expand opportunities for students,” said Framingham High School Vice Principal, Michelle McGahan. “One of our goals in the SSA is to empower students to explore/develop their passion and build a plan for their future. We do so through career exposure, exploration and education in different career pathways. Julie O’Leary, our Career Development Coordinator, organized multiple field trips to MassBay Automotive Technology this year and helped to continue this partnership and boot camp. As the boot camp teaches students about careers and skills used in the automotive industry, we hope they are better prepared to make informed decisions regarding their pathways after graduating from high school.”
Framingham High School and Youth Connections (formerly MassHire) have an extensive partnership that focuses on education and career exploration. The Youth Connections grant addresses engaging students in highly engaging and paid STEM internships, while increasing opportunities for underrepresented high school students in STEM fields. A portion of the grant was used to fund the MassBay summer automotive technology boot camp.
“I had little knowledge about cars before taking this workshop, and it has definitely changed my opinion about the auto tech industry,” said Kat Barry, who participated last year as a senior at Framingham High School. “It’s an impressive program and I have learned so much in just a few days. There are so many parts and functions on a vehicle, and we haven’t even scratched the surface of the subject matter during this program. I rotated a tire today, and I’m pretty confident I could now change my own tire by myself, which are life skills I know will help me. This has definitely opened my eyes to the opportunities in the STEM field.”
MassBay’s Auto Technology is the leading automotive training facility in the New England region. It offers programs sponsored by four major automotive brands including BMW, Toyota/Lexus, General Motors, and JEEP/Chrysler/Dodge/Ram. In addition, MassBay offers a non-manufacture specific All Brand General Studies program, which provides students with a broad education and hands-on training on multiple types of makes and models of vehicles. Students gain experience on the newest cars using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The program includes a paid co-op component, allowing students to earn money and college credit while learning in a professional setting. These programs provide students with in-depth, product-specific automotive technology education. MassBay’s automotive program has a 99% placement rate of graduates into full-time jobs by graduation.