East Side Redevelopment Task Force

CENTER OF HOPE

Automotive Training / Inspections Program


Purpose
To provide disadvantaged adults with the adequate skills needed to enter the Automotive Industry and
become self sufficient.

Facilitator
Warren's Automotive Service
Willie L Warren - Operations Manager

The Automotive Training Program was established through our innovative organization - Eastside Redevelopment Task Force, Inc. where our motto is to "build our community one block at a time".

In efforts to economically strengthen citizens of our community, we are proposing to empower underserved adults with tools to work in the automotive industry. The program will address current car repair needs as well as an introduction to what the future holds in terms of automotive emissions and repairs. By coupling the latest in classroom instructional sessions with hands-on occupational skills, 30 of our communities disadvantaged adults can be prepared to directly enter the workforce; enabled to be self-sustaining citizens.

Buffalo, NY has been recently ranked in the top 5 poorest cities with population > 250,000. There are imited opportunities here for under-skilled adults. Preparing adults with skills to repair light vehicles in an econoy where most people are holding on to what they have - provides for a huge demand. Not only willit open up options for cost efficient repairs, it also provides a start to endless opportunities for our trainees in terms of employment.

This initiative will also allow several participants to break their dependency on government run entities.

It is Important to have a place for parolees to go when they are released rom jail - a place where they can become productive citizens. The same holds true for troubled young adults, first time offenders and those inthe community who would reult to the drug market as a source of income. These and others in similar situations will make up a significant portion of our target group.

Eastside Redevelopment Task Force, Inc in collaboration with Willie Warren, CEO of Warren's Automotive Service (a long-time pillar/activist of building our community) will partner to embrace the citizens of our community and prepare a transitioning conduit into the workplace promoting independency development.

Automotive Training Program will collaborate with other community organizations in the recruitment of participants who will benefit most from the program. The participants will be screened before being chosen as candidates. After candidates are determined to be a good fit for the program, they will be tested.
All candidates will be required to attend a mandatory program orientation. Each trainee will be individually assessed to map career interest and career goals. An evaluation will be made to determine whether the goals are realistic and reachable withina reasonable amount of time. Once those factors have been established, they will be given a career track plan to complete their goals. (Participants who have not completed high school will be encouraged to obtain a GED certificate before completion of the program.

At the completion of the assessment phase trainees will have a choice of either a morning or afternoon classroom session which will last 3 hrs each day (9am-12noon or 1pm-4pm). Classes will take place 5 days
a week. The classroom sessions will start in September and end in May. June through August, trainees will have exclusive practical experiences which will include hands-on occupational practices in local automotive repaie and inspection sites. At the end of the year, upon completion of evaluations, each candidate will be placed in an enviironment most conductive to his/her abilties to complete internships. During his/her placement, program graduates will continue with an apprenticeship experience with a local potential employer for a period of 3-6 months depending on the trade type. Hours of training will vary depending on the worksite's hours of operation. At the completion of the program, the program participant will become employable by gaining at least three to six months of work experience. Each participant will be placed directly with an employer within the community of which they reside, unless otherwise requested. The participant will be required to work at least 20 hours/week during their apprenticeship. While attending the program trainees will be allowed a stipend of $200 per week.


Trainees will have three trade areas of interest to choose from within the Automotive Industry: Automotive Bodywork Repair, Automotive Mechanical Repair or the option to become a NY State Automotive Inspector.


Automotive Training Program will extend over a period of 12 months. Each participant will be tracked for six additional months to measure their overall success during their job placement and other accomplishments.


In addition to onsite work experience, selected particiapnts will be provided with job readiness and life skills workshops. These workshops will be incorporated as part of the classroom training. The training workshops will address: workplace ethics, career sustainability, resume proparation, interviewing, entrepreneurship and money management. Another series of workshops will focus on other necessary information such as proper business etiquette:

How to approach Employers for Employment
How to be self-sustaining while transitioning to the workforce


Guest speakers such as experienced personnel from the Automotive Industry will take part in the delivery of these workshops.


Automotive Training Program is reaching out to both public and private organizations for sponsorship such as:
Local Court System ( City, County & State )
NYS Department of Labor ( DOL )
Erie Conty Department of Social Services
Local Community Centers (CAO )


Automotive Training Program will become a "key" to "opening doors" for disadvantaged adults approaching employers. Our program will well propare our applicants to feel confident as they compete with other applicants in the field.

This program will give adults an opportunity to earn wages that will enable them to support themselves. It will also instill the importance of work and work ethics needed to become viable, tax-paying, productive adults.


Sageworks, a financial analysis company for private companies, announced that auto repair shops are one of the 7 succeeding industries, during this recession. Auto repair has seen an increase of 2.4 in sales over the past 12 months. (People are focusing on keeping their old automotives rather than purchasing new ones. People are even truning to Repair Shop Website and Body Shop Website looking for the best possible means of automotive repairs.

Across the nation, although US automakers and dealerships are suffering, repairs thrive.
In most local dealerships, service and repair operations are the primary moneymakers.

According to te Potential Industry Earning (P.I.E. ) statistics, automotive technicians earn on average $30,000 to $60,000 in metro areas and master mechanics can make $70,000 annually.

The Bureau of Labor Statisitcs estimates throughout the year 2011 there will be a need for at least 35,000 new technicians.
The underemployed. unemployed, under skilled citizen becomes a liability to the community and society as a whole.

The Eastside Redevelopment Task Force, Inc. has identified a need that could very well be addressed through the Automotive Training Program which would bring to the table well over 60 years on industry experience.

These experiences will be shared with those who have the determination to become productive citizens of their communities while they contribute to one of the most vital components of our society - transportaion and full time job opportunities.

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