Registered vehicles in the
U.S. now outnumber licensed drivers. That means more vehicles with more
technology coming into automotive service centers today and in the future. It's
also why there continues to be a growing need for automotive technicians. Each
year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the need for automotive technicians
as one of the nation's highest.
Finding qualified technicians
is getting tougher. As vehicles have become increasingly complex, the skills
and specialized training needed by the next generation of technicians to repair
them can't be picked up at the local gas station or in high school shop class.
One way to successfully
recruit new technicians is through the GM Automotive Service Educational
Program (ASEP).
GM ASEP is designed to bring
TSS accounts together with qualified students who want to pursue a career as an
automotive technician. ASEP students attend classes for eight to ten weeks at a
college that participates in the program. Then the students work in their
sponsoring service center for a similar period of time. In addition to
automotive courses, ASEP students take courses in math, science, and
communication skills. During the two-year sponsorship, service centers are
responsible for providing uniforms, paying an hourly wage while working in the
shop, and assigning a technician to act as a mentor to the student.
At the end of the program,
the student graduates with an Associate Degree in automotive technology and the
TSS service center has a new technician who has trained at the shop and also
has knowledge of the latest diagnostic procedures, equipment, and information
technology.
Looking for a student to
sponsor? An ASEP college will provide a list of qualified candidates for an
interview. The first step is to contact the participating college in your area.
There are more than 60 ASEP schools in the country. For the complete list of
ASEP colleges, go to www.gmasep.com, or call 1-800-828-6860.
Student and Service Center
Responsibilities
Students:
- Must be high school
graduates and accepted into a participating college
- Must maintain a TSS service
center sponsorship
- Are required to wear a
provided work uniform during school and at work
- Are responsible for all
program costs, including tuition, fees, books and tools. Tuition assistance and
tool discounts may be available.
Service Centers:
- Must pay for uniforms
- Must pay the student an
hourly wage while providing work experience in accordance with the program
schedule
- Must provide an in-shop
coordinator
- Must participate in the
appropriate ASEP advisory committee meetings
- Thanks to Staci Shelton
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