Arlington ISD Auto Shop Offers Real Life Experience to Students

ARLINGTON, Texas – Students at Arlington get real-life experience working in an auto repair shop. The county’s state-of-the-art institution sets them up for potential careers in this field.

Auto shops generally do not hire anyone under the age of 18, making it difficult for students to gain such experience before graduation. Dan Diepert’s Career and Tech Center at Arlington ISD is making a difference.

High school students come from all over the area to work at the auto repair shop.

“We’re looking into maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations,” said Michelle Baser, an ISD associate in Arlington.

Baser wants to be a mechanic in the army.

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“Once we learned how to do wheel alignment, and it was really cool. And in the last lesson, we learned how to mount and dismantle tires. It is very useful. I think we could work in a tire shop,” she said.

Automotive instructor Jamal Harvey said the Dallas-Fort Worth area needed auto mechanics.

Under Harvey’s guidance, students start with the basics and end with entry-level technicians ready to go.

“The Texas Human Resources Commission has launched a program where they will take our students, send them to dealerships, and when the fall semester begins, they will pay for their education at TCC or Dallas County Community College,” he said.

“It’s a good weight off your shoulders knowing that you have something to go back to right after high school. No stress or hassle. You can find a well-paying job and support yourself right out of high school,” said younger Alex Hernandez. .

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The center opened in 2017 and a couple of years later formed a partnership with the county’s transportation department, allowing students to work on vehicles from Arlington’s ISD fleet.

“It prepares you for the future. For example, if you are going on a trip and your car stops, you know what to do. You know who to call. “said George Gunnum, Sr.

The program continues to evolve and has become a model for other counties.

“It’s about these kids and how to provide them with a better lifestyle,” Harvey said. “I tell the kids that we are giving you an opportunity. You decide what to do with it.”

And Arlington ISD has more money to invest in the program. Late last year, the company received a government grant of more than $115,000 to purchase additional equipment.