Youth Education Services program and the acceptance of a hand built ML Class Mercedes SUV for use in its training program. The Vineland High School Automotive Technology Program, whose students have achieved national recognition, took another giant step forward on Wednesday by achieving certification through the Automotive Youth Education Services program and the acceptance of a hand built ML Class Mercedes SUV for use in its training program.
Representatives from automobile dealerships from Cumberland, Atlantic and Camden Counties attended the event, along with representatives from a variety of national automotive manufacturers. The program at Vineland High School, under the direction of Louis Bramante, is now one of 20 throughout New Jersey, and the only one in Cumberland County, certified by AYES, according to George Arrants, a consultant for AYES.
Through a slide presentation and one-hour lecture, Arrants presented a comprehensive overview on the urgent need for more automotive technicians, and how AYES addresses that need. He also described in detail, and with impressive statistics, the economic impact of the automotive industry on the local economy.
Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) is a partnership among participating automotive manufacturers, participating dealers, and selected high schools/tech prep schools. According to information on its website, the program is designed to encourage young people to consider satisfying careers in retail automotive service, and prepare them for entry-level career positions or advanced studies in automotive technology.
Through the program, students can serve a summer internship at a car dealership and qualify for possible employment post-graduation. Through its dealership and school partners, AYES also strives to enhance the public image of dealerships and dealership careers, build local partnerships between dealerships and high quality schools, and foster positive working environments in dealerships.
In 2005 and 2006, the VHS program, still in its novice stage, placed graduates Dan Steffer and Zachary McGarvey in post-secondary programs to further their interest in the automotive fields. Steffer went on to the Mercedes-Benz “Elite” program and graduated with honors. He is now employed with Wilmington Delaware Mercedes–Benz. McGarvey went on to Camden County College’s Toyota T-Ten program and now is employed with Shore Toyota. Another VHS gr
aduate, Jayme Perez, went on to the Audi Academy and is now employed with Suncoast Audi in Sarasota, Florida.
“This is a very proud moment for us,” said Ms. Dorothy Burke, VHS South Associate Principal. “What is being done here is bridging the gap with our students and the real world and giving them an opportunity to take this education we have here and applying it to a career.”
Burke also had high praise for Bramante. “He is an outstanding educator -- not just for what he gives in the auto tech classroom but what he imparts to his students regarding work ethics, responsibility and values in life. That is what it is all about. I am also proud to have our graduates here (Steffer and McGarvey) who went from our program and were placed in the Mercedes Elite Program and also Toyota T-Ten Program.
“Today’s event will take us into a new path,” said Bramante. “It is an exciting time for students being partnered with manufacturers and dealerships. The AYES program benefits both the dealership network, manufacturers participation in the dealerships and schools, and the most beneficial partner is the students. Our goal at Vineland High School is to empower our students to have career skills for life-long careers so that they can go out into the world and provide for their families. That is our goal here. We have been very successful over the last four years in starting this program and bringing it to where it is today.”
The highlight of the program was the acceptance of the SUV, presented by Joseph Van Bodegon of Mercedes Benz of North America and Monica Schive of Mercedes Benz of Cherry Hill.
Over the next two months, the program will receive a total of five other new vehicles from the following manufacturers: BMW North America, General Motors, Chrysler, KIA, and Subaru.
Bramante also presented plaques in appreciation to Dave Pastor and Jim Gee for the support offered to the VHS program from RK Auto Group of Vineland. RK funded airfare and food costs for the trip to Kansas City this summer of VHS students who placed third in the nation in the Skills USA competition.