The ASE Education Foundation is encouraging its industry members to volunteer as mentors to technician students in their area by offering tools and support to get started.
“The ASE Education Foundation always welcomes industry members who want to help us address the technician shortage by working with local high school and college programs and mentoring students interested in careers in our industry,” said Mike Coley, ASE Education Foundation president. “There are ASE field managers covering each state so we encourage interested individuals to reach out to them to see how they can help in their local areas.”
Not only can mentors provide students with valuable, real-world experience, the organization said, but they can also help facilitate work opportunities, support trade school instructors, assist in placing students in entry-level positions, and provide ongoing support and professional development for young technicians. As an example, Scott Brown, co-owner of Connie and Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, California, has created a mentorship program that connects with colleges and high schools in Claremont.
Read more: Keys to tech mentoring: Lead by example then let 'em cook
“Over the past several years, I have been participating with schools in the area and also hiring some of the students to work part-time in my shop,” said Brown. “Although they are still in school, these young men and women are getting real world experience and advanced training, which will only help them as they pursue full-time work after graduation.”
The ASE also has field managers across the country that can help those who want to become mentors get started. They can help connect mentors with students, students with schools, and both with ASE Foundation industry partners. You can find the contact information for various field mentors by state here.
