Partnerships between community colleges and employers to create apprenticeships have been around for decades. These traditionally have covered fields like the building trades--electrical, construction and others--as well as heavy manufacturing like the automobile industry. Inspired partly by a new federal apprenticeship consortium--and $175…

The U.S. automotive industry has always been a cyclical business, but its near-collapse in 2008-09 and the subsequent bankruptcy of two of the three largest domestic automakers was more than a cyclical downturn. As light vehicle sales and production slowly recover, the industry has started to hire again, though with caution. In an industry known…

Automotive Technology combines hands-on training along with a fully integrated, interactive, computerized multistationed facility. Our program is a competency based, true open-entry/open-exit program that utilizes flexible self-paced course outlines. It is designed around an industry partnership that promotes community and economic development,…

Major auto manufacturers have developed cooperative apprenticeship programs with community colleges, offering alternating periods of study and work experience under the supervision of master technicians. (SK)

A project investigated the feasibility of developing equipment simulations in vocational curricula using videotapes and microcomputers. To conduct the research, two pieces of equipment that could be used in vocational curricula throughout the North Carolina Community College System were chosen: (1) computer numerical control (CNC) lathe used in…

A project was undertaken to evaluate and revise Florida's existing instructional materials for use in courses in heavy duty truck and bus mechanics. The tasks addressed in the currently available student guides were compared to the state program standards. After identifying tasks that were implied in the state standards but not covered in the…

A project was designed to develop a curriculum model based on salient, sequenced occupational tasks. After an extensive literature review and staff discussions, a modified Q-Sort procedure was formulated to select and sequence tasks. The procedure made it possible to readily utilize a catalogue of tasks compiled by the Vocational-Technical…

Using a sample of all graduates and a randomly chosen group of leavers (those who had completed three terms over a four-year period), a study was conducted at Chemeketa Community College to develop a model survey instrument for employers to evaluate the automotive technology program. Several steps were followed in the development process,…

This document highlights the school-to-careers (STC) partnerships connecting workplace experiences to classroom learning to prepare students for successful employment in the automotive industry. First, the current state of the automotive industry is reviewed and the role of STC in addressing automotive service needs is explained. Next, the…

This packet contains the stories of 20 successful alumni of Ohio's secondary vocational programs and postsecondary technical schools. They have been reproduced as loose-leaf camera-ready art. Suggested uses for these one-page biographies with accompanying photograph include the following: illustrations for use in speeches; reproduction of complete…

A series of occupational competency tests representing all seven vocational education curriculum areas were developed, field tested, and validated. Seventeen occupations were selected for competency test development: agricultural chemicals applications technician, farm equipment mechanic, computer operator, word processing specialist, apparel…

Statistics regarding Australians participating in apprenticeships and traineeships in the automotive repairs and service trades in 1995-1999 were reviewed to provide an indication of where skill shortages may be occurring or will likely occur in relation to the following occupations: motor mechanic, automotive electrician, and panel beater. The…