Pub. 59 2018-2019 Issue 3

6 W hat started some years ago as a desire for manu- facturers to come together and support automotive students has developed into the ASE Education Foundation. The ASE Education Foundation (formerly NATEF and AYES) works with more than 2,300 automo- tive technology training programs and more than 50,000 students nationally to provide a viable workforce with standards and credentials for institutions, organizations and individuals. The Foundation also offers career development and workplace exposure, creating relationships and partner- ships with employers. Here in Texas, the ASE Education Foundation Field Manager is underwritten by TADA (Texas Automobile DealersAssociation) aswell asHADA(HoustonAutomobile Dealers Association). Matthew Northrup fills this role by facilitating and maintaining working relationships between dealerships and educational establishments. The industry partner of this relationship is vital, as they receive an opportunity to put their businesses tax dollars to work. As a member of a school’s advisory committee, the industry has a voice in a program’s curriculum, facility, and equipment all being industry relevant. The Advisory Committee will make recommendations to the school’s administration for industry relevance. Beyond the advisory committee, an industry partner has the opportunity to take students on as employees via a “Work Based Learning” program. These students are paired with a mentor in the shop and able to apply skills they are learning at school in the dealerships. Many automotive franchised dealers are feeling a shortage in automotive technicians. There are more than 100 ASE Education Foundation accredited programs in the state of Texas, so the solution to the shortage is probably right around the corner from a dealership. These schools are a pipeline for a body shop – hire them young, train them to your culture, and develop long-term employee. Per the Department of Labor, the retention rate of an employee coming from an ASE accredited program is 50 percent higher than hiring a technician off the street. If you have any questions about how to get involved withASE Education Foundation programs or if your local schools are not accredited and you want to assist that school with their accreditation, contactMatthewNorthrup.Matthew has been part of very successful implementations with inner city schools (the school that puts more technicians into the workforce in the nation is an inner-city school in the Houston area), rural schools, and multiple college programs.  MATTHEWNORTHRUP, 903-714-8671, mjnorthrup@live.com ASE Education Foundation Your Pipeline for Auto Techs