To anyone involved in South Puget Sound Community College’s (SPSCC) Automotive Technology Program, it’s no surprise that graduating students display exceptional skills applicable immediately to the work place.
But, to an outsider, it may be shocking to know that the industry is expecting a shortage of 900,000 automotive technicians in just three short years.
Local employers are turning to SPSCC, under the masterful instructor of professors like Norm Chapman, Tom Witt, and Bob Riggin, to staff their businesses with talented, skilled technicians.
“We are looking at a new breed of automotive technicians – individuals that are a lot more computer and tech-savvy,” describes Chapman.
“Automotive technicians are becoming increasingly sophisticated and one just simply has to have a formal education to be capable in this field,” says Dr. Gerald Pumphrey, SPSCC’s President.
Entering his 26th year as an instructor, Chapman and two additional instructors, Bob Riggin, in his fifth year and Tom Witt in his twelfth year, educate a full class of automotive students. The program is so popular that it currently boasts full enrollment with a waiting list.
“We have quite a mix of students, ranging in age from 17- to 60-years-old,” says Chapman. “There might be a dislocated worker sitting next to a 25-year-old student who has worked in the industry for a few years and is looking to get ahead.”
Chapman notes that the next generation of automotive technicians are trained with very precise diagnostic skills. “A misdiagnosis can be extremely costly for a shop as well as the consumer. The better the tools that our students train on, the better their diagnostic skills. Then, they have the confidence to go out to work and be a valuable employee,” comments Chapman.
To stay on top of rapid industry changes and teach leading edge technology, each automotive instructor logs more than 250 hours of continuing education annually. “As instructors, if we feed our students skills, tips, and the finer points of their trade, then they will have an edge in the workforce,” remarks Chapman.
Recently, SPSCC hosted a Tool Day event, bringing in vendors that offer students a significant discount on the tools they must have to be employable after graduation. For many students, purchasing their own tools is a financial hardship. Since 1995, the estate of late Evelyne Betti, former owner of Hill-Betti Business Park, has donated over $70,000 to provide small tool allowances to all SPSCC Automotive students. This generous gift has made a tremendous difference to many students.
For example, SPSCC student Matt Cammarn is appreciative of financial assistance that enables him to buy more tools than he could afford. “To get the tools needed for the job betters my future. It’s a great industry out there as long as you have all the tools,” says Cammaran.
Cecelia Loveless, Executive Director of SPSCC’s Foundation and lead organizer of the upcoming Harvest Moon Celebration, focuses on raising funds critical to helping students succeed.
“We witness first hand that helping students a little bit goes a long way,” remarks Loveless.
“Financial support means a lot because an employer requires us to have the right tools for the job. They don’t supply them,” explains SPSCC student Mike Murphy. “Some of us are unemployed, others are ex-military and it’s very handy to have the proper tools for the right job.”
“Most of our students are working about 30 hours per week in the industry while attending school full-time. They scrape together the money they need to make this career happen,” adds Chapman.
“We are training the 21st century workforce. These are the people that will be running businesses in the community. We want students to leave here knowing how to do an honest job,” summarizes Chapman.
Funding to support SPSCC’s Automotive program is supported, in part, by Harvest Moon donors. To learn more about the Harvest Moon Celebration, click here.
