Overview

In California, high school students are gaining valuable skills in automotive repair while also earning college credits and income as apprentices. This dual enrollment program, led by Marty Supple, addresses a significant shortage of skilled auto technicians in the state.

Key details

  • Students learn hands-on automotive skills at Artesia High School and Cerritos College.
  • They earn both high school and college credits through a dual enrollment program.
  • Students work as apprentices at local auto dealerships, earning above minimum wage.
  • California needs approximately 5,600 more automotive technicians to meet industry demand.
  • Marty Supple, 70, teaches the courses and emphasizes the importance of work values alongside technical skills.
  • Nearly 90% of students at Artesia High qualify for free and reduced-price meals.
  • The program includes nine weeks of instruction followed by nine weeks of practical work experience.
  • Students receive a certificate and an associate’s degree upon completion of the program.
  • Supple runs summer courses that replicate a typical workday, which are also in high demand.
  • Freshmen are accepted into the automotive courses, allowing a wide range of students to participate.
  • Supple has been teaching since 2006 and has a track record of including younger students in his classes.

Context

This initiative not only prepares students for careers in a high-demand field but also supports the local economy by addressing the workforce shortage in automotive repair.

What happens next

With the ongoing success of the program, it is likely that more students will continue to enroll, further contributing to the skilled labor pool in California's automotive industry.

What we don't know yet

Details about the specific number of students currently enrolled and the exact outcomes of graduates from the program have not been confirmed.