Addressing the Need for Service Techs
Nearly 109,000 career jobs are available at U.S. dealerships today, according to a recent Harris poll, sponsored by Automotive Retailing Today. The study underlines the need for talented service techs who are looking to make repairing cars a career.
AYES (Automotive Youth Educational Systems) is a new approach for hiring and training automotive technicians. It is a national partnership of automobile manufacturers and dealers and education departments in many states around the country. Together these groups are helping fill the many open service positions by preparing students for entry-level positions in dealerships all over the country.
More than 4,500 dealerships already are participating in AYES, literally "growing" their own technicians. AYES is supported at the highest levels of the automotive industry. This year, NADA President Phil Brady was elected chairman of AYES, succeeding GM chief officer Rick Wagoner. Brady hopes to increase dealer participation in AYES during his term, calling the program "a win-win situation."
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Video: Dealers face a growing crisis in the service department as the number of qualified technicians continues to shrink. See how AYES is helping them overcome it. ("The Dealer Crisis in Service," 8 minutes, Windows Media Broadband). |
AYES Partners:
- Dealers: From job shadowing, to the mentored internships, to career placement, dealers act as an extension of the manufacturer and make AYES internships possible. But students aren't the only ones benefiting from the experience. Sponsoring AYES students often results in higher retention rates in the dealership service department. A survey of 2004 AYES interns found that 76 percent are still with the same dealership.
- State and Metro Automotive Dealer Associations: State and metro associations and Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAEs) administer local AYES programs and place students at participating dealerships. Many associations also provide scholarships for post-secondary education.
- Automobile Manufacturers: Fourteen automobile manufacturers support AYES and are helping enhance the public perception of automotive service careers through marketing campaigns, such as BMW's "Teens and Wheels" initiative.
- Fixed Operations Directors and Service Managers: Service staff members interact with AYES students on a daily basis, and, therefore, act as powerful role models. They are responsible for overseeing the AYES student during an internship and providing help and instruction.
How to Get Involved:
To find out more about how to get involved with an AYES-affiliated school in your area, call 888-339-AYES (2937) or visit http://www.ayes.org/.
If an AYES affiliated high school is not in your backyard, a new online program can help you locate the nearest AYES school. The new mapping program provides an illustration of the more than 400 schools participating in AYES and surrounding dealerships.
Contact AYES:
AYES
100 W Big Beaver
Suite 300
Troy, MI 48084-5283
Phone: (248) 526-1750
Toll-free: (888) 339-AYES (2937)
Fax: (248) 526-1751
Email: info@ayes.org