GLENOAK HIGH SCHOOL PATHWAY SPOTLIGHT: Automotive Technology Program

The GlenOak Automotive Technology Program has students racing toward lucrative careers. This two-year program begins with juniors learning the basics of automotive maintenance: lube, oil and filter changes, replacing tires, balancing tires and performing alignments. Students in the GlenOak Automotive Program become proficient in Electude, an innovative, online interactive training source. The students perform simulations in the classroom that are very similar in design to the real work being done in real car repair establishments. The junior class just started working with our relatively new Hunter Hawkeye Alignment Machine, which is the latest and greatest in chassis machines.

Additionally, students repair their personal vehicles putting all of these skills into meaningful application. The program also has around ten community-donated vehicles for students to explore. These vehicles present many of the same challenges that students will see in their future clients’ cars in the fluctuating weather climate in which we live. Notable projects this year include an engine swap in an ’05 Honda Civic, a transmission replacement in a ’15 Chevy Suburban and an engine teardown and identification project.

Senior year, students are active in a job placement. We are fortunate to have great partnerships with area businesses who are dedicated to the industry and helping to train future technicians. Many of these industry partners and local repair shops donate parts and hire our high school seniors and GlenOak Automotive graduates:

• Advanced Auto Parts

• Customs Unlimited

• Cyclone Transmission

• Fallsway Equipment

• Flynn’s Tire

• General RV

• Jim’s Auto Care

• Mobile Xperts

• PittStop 10 Minute Oil Change

• Take 5 Oil Change

• Tire Choice

• Valvoline

Auto teacher Shaun Fish shared, “A highlight for me is hearing about the students’ experiences in the field and hearing compliments from these jobs on the students’ work ethics, knowledge and willingness to learn.”

After completion of the program, students earn a certificate of completion with 900 hours credit. They have the opportunity to take the A5 Student Automotive Service Excellence Test on Braking Systems and, starting this year, students will receive a Technology Seal for their completion of the Electrical class. This combination of online interactive training and classwork through Electude, hands-on lab experience and real work provides students with the skills to be marketable in the automotive industry. These students can begin satisfying careers right out of high school.