March 10, 2021 GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- GRCC Workforce Training offers programs providing in-demand skills leading to rewarding careers. Each Wednesday we’ll meet students who are heading down an educational pathway and changing their lives by earning occupational certificates.
Thousands of area employees working in the restaurant and service industry were laid off due to the pandemic. Many of those took this time to reflect and retool their career path.
Meet Francisco Sainz, a 2019 graduate of Lee High School.
After taking a few credit courses at GRCC and working in the restaurant industry, he decided to change his direction. Francisco has always had an interest in working on cars and in August 2020, he enrolled in the GRCC Automotive Technician Job Training program.
“I was tired of working in the restaurant industry and the break really persuaded me to look at what my passions are and move in a new direction,” he said.
“This last year has been incredibly challenging. My whole family had COVID-19 and my dad had it really bad. It was hard to stay focused especially when we had to go virtual learning. But my parents are proud of me and I just had to keep pushing through. It was helpful that I had made new friends in class and we worked through the challenges together. Once we got back to learning hands-on, I was more inspired.”
Grand Rapids Community College Automotive Technician Job Training classes run 34 hours per week and approximately 20 weeks in length. The hands-on training operates as much like private industry with a 10-bay automotive lab that works with real customers. A new cohort of students begins every other month, which means that individuals don't have to wait until next semester to begin working toward a better future.
Like in all Job Training programs, Automotive Tech students are paired with a career coach as well as a job developer to insure success during and after completion of the training. Additionally, graduates can articulate 10 credits toward an associate degree in Automotive.
Automotive Tech students develop skills in shop safety, electrical systems, front end and steering systems, brake systems, ABS, heating and air conditioning; recovering and recycling, and teamwork and communication skills.
An automotive technician is required to be certified and licensed in the state of Michigan. Licensed technicians use precision diagnostic equipment, service manuals and hands-on power tools to provide high tech, timely and quality service.
In 2016, GRCC became the only location in Michigan to partner with Chrysler Fiat to provide MOPAR CAP Level One Certification - giving students the opportunity to acquire the value credential which includes 37 certifications.
To be most effective in the auto-mechanic industry today, technicians need to be able to read service manual schematics, perform basic shop math, read measurement tools and communicate effectively with others using automotive terminology.
Anyone interested in gaining career skills through GRCC Workforce Training can connect via email at workforcetraining@grcc.edu, and by phone at (616) 234-3800. Additional information is at grcc.edu/programs/job-workforce-training.
