Automotive technology students at Hastings High School were given more tools for success during a special presentation Friday morning.
Teachers, students and administrators from Hastings Public Schools were joined by faculty from Central Community College and CCC Foundation for a presentation at the high school's automotive lab.
The HHS lab received thousands of dollars worth of tools and equipment from CCC, which offers two-credit driving classes in high schools under an agreement with the Hastings School District.
The array of items was paid for using a grant from the Carriage House Foundation, a 501c(3) nonprofit affiliated with the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association.
Newly acquired products include a Snap-on digital torque wrench that tightens bolts to specified settings. measuring tape. Gauge block used for calibrating measuring instruments. External micrometer that can measure the thickness or outside diameter of small parts down to 1/10,000 inch. Tire spreader used to repair car tires.
“We use the exact same tools that we use in industry,” said CCC faculty member Rob Schuster. He has been assigned to teach an on-site automotive course at Hastings High School, where he is teaching approximately 50 third and fourth grade students this semester. .
The Carriage House Foundation was established in 1984 as a philanthropic and educational endeavor aimed at strengthening Nebraska's automotive industry. John Baxter of Baxter Chrysler, Omaha, is a major donor to the foundation and served as its founding chairman for 22 years.
Nate Allen, CCC's Director of Career and Technical Sciences Instruction, said the Carriage House Foundation has been supportive of CCC and its educational programs for the past 23 years, funding scholarships and other needs needed to develop automotive technology talent. He said that he has provided. future.
“They have been very supportive of us over a long period of time,” Allen said. “I am grateful.”
This year, CCC applied for a Shop Tools grant for Holdage's Automotive Technology Pathway program, which has classes at Hastings High School, Kearney High School, and a local Janssen Ford dealership in the evenings.
Allen said CCC teaches dual-credit courses on-site at about five locations in its 25-county service area: Hastings, Kearney, Holdreage, Grand Island and Columbus. Students from other high schools will send students directly to CCC Hastings for classes.
“It helps them get a head start on their future education,” Allen said.
Students can take 12 credit hours of automotive classes while in high school and then continue their education at the Hastings campus.
Allen said interest in the dual credit program is strong, as is the industry's demand for workers. He said CCC cannot produce graduates fast enough to meet that demand.
This year's $21,000 in Carriage House grants purchased tools and equipment to upgrade or augment what was already in place for high school students at the three recipient locations.
Procured items are expensive. In fact, digital torque wrenches cost about $500 each.
“We have some of these things, but in some ways they're outdated, and it's kind of a rare opportunity for someone to say, 'Here's your chance to get the latest and greatest equipment,'” Schuster said. said. “It’s special to be able to do that in high school.”
Alison Feeney, assistant dean of instruction in CCC's College of Career and Technical Sciences, said college officials see great value in high school career pathway programs, and this year's Carriage House funding will support these programs and their programs. He said he is pleased to be able to invest in the students he serves.
“This year, we're moving that pipeline back to industry, back to academia, with pathway programs that will likely continue your career in the automotive industry, whether it's auto body, diesel, or whatever industry you end up in. I wanted to give back to the. I'm choosing,” Feeney said. “We just want to be able to support that, and we feel the creation of these pathway programs is huge and extremely important.”
Mr. Schuster has taught at Hastings High School for 13 years. Currently he teaches basic auto mechanic, electrical, manual his transmission, steering and suspension courses. Normally, class capacity is 12 students, but this semester there are 16 to 17 students in some sections.
If the university continues its automotive training, students will immediately need to purchase a specialized toolset, likely worth $8,000 to $9,000, to use in class, he said.
However, in high school, students can become familiar with tools available in stores. By doing so, they can begin preparing for the NC3 (National Coalition of Certification Centers) test that proves they know how to properly use such items. This test must be passed before you can get a job.
Hastings Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Schneider on Friday expressed his gratitude to CCC for making on-site automotive technology instruction available to HPS students.
“It's not easy to get the right shops and instructors, so I don't know if we would be able to offer these classes without a partnership,” Schneider said. “So, thank you for your partnership at CCC. This is a great room for our children to learn and prepare for their futures.”
Allen said people with excellent training can do good for themselves and their communities by working in the automotive field, and the university wants to help them achieve their goals.
“They're great paying jobs,” he said. “They are building rewarding careers.”
