"Growing Technicians" at Checkered Flag BMW

If you have ever taken your car for service at Checkered Flag BMW, you may have noticed some fresh young faces working alongside seasoned technicians. My curiosity lead me to Roger Smith, the shop supervisor there, and he says the young faces belong to his Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) interns. Roger tells me that AYES is a partnership between automotive manufacturers, various dealerships, and selected high schools/technical prep schools. The program (which is found in 45 states) encourages young students to consider careers in the retail automotive service. Careers in the automotive industry can be very rewarding. Technicians have the potential to make six figures! Checkered Flag fully understands the benefits of an automotive career, and throughout its dealerships has been very supportive of this program. 

Roger says their program at Checkered Flag BMW has been successful because they have been fortunate in having great relationships with the participating schools, particularly Virginia Beach Public Schools/Virginia Beach Vo-Tech. "The instructor interacts with students in the classroom, and he knows what we need at the dealership, so he recommends students he thinks are qualified to meet our need." From there, the recommended student goes through an interview process with Roger. If all goes well, then the student is invited to become an AYES intern.

Typically, the student starts his/her internship full-time during the summer between junior and senior year. Along with the in class instruction they receive at Vo-Tech, the student is paired with a senior technician mentor at the dealership. Roger says, "With a mentor the student learns the proper ways of doing things, how to use equipment, how to diagnose a vehicle, and also the practical skills like completing service paperwork." Jason Fabek, a mentor who has participated in the program for 9 years says, "It is a good program that works as long as the kids come in with the right attitude." His intern Josh Conde, who started working with Jason earlier this May, tells me that he has learned a lot since then. "I enjoy working here, and hopefully after graduation I can go to automotive school, and then continue with BMW."

After the interns graduate high school and they receive AYES certification, they are well-prepared for entry-level positions or continued education in advanced automotive technology. Many of the dealerships that participate in AYES will sponsor their interns in manufacturer-college-level programs. BMW offers the Service Technician Education Program (STEP) to the top graduates of the best post secondary automotive technical schools in the country. Roger says that upon completing automotive technical school, AYES interns then have the opportunity to apply to STEP and if accepted, BMW covers tuition costs.

Dealerships look to attract and hire the best technicians, and Roger says the AYES program is a great way to "grow technicians" in house. "It is an excellent program. I enjoy seeing young techs develop and do well. It is almost like watching your own kids grow."

To learn more about the AYES program or to read about intern success stories at Checkered Flag BMW visit here.