MONEY

Dealerships, schools partner to expand auto program

Jeff Bollier
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Green Bay East High School, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and five area automotive dealerships unveiled a partnership Wednesday that will expand East High’s automotive technology lab.

The newly-named City Stadium Automotive project will expand the number of vehicle bays from three to five, upgrade course materials, and purchase new tools and computers. The program will give students the opportunity to earn course credit at NWTC and complete the basic requirements to be certified by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation.

East High Automotive Instructor Rich Sawyer said the expanded program will help the Green Bay Area Public School District keep up with student demand for automotive technology courses and employers’ need for skilled workers.

Sawyer said there were about 40 students taking an elective course in automotive technology when he started in 2006. Now, he said, East High offers three levels of courses that are taken by 150 to 200 students from across the district take each year.

“Programs like this are really starting to grab more kids and give them a platform for success,” Sawyer said.

Broadway Automotive, Dorsch Ford Kia, Gandrud Auto Group, Bergstrom Automotive, Le Mieux and Son Toyota and Cliff Wall have each pledged $10,000 to $25,000 to the expansion program.

“There is a huge need in the industry,” Broadway Automotive Managing Partner David Cuene said. “Broadway needs six technicians right now and you can make a good living doing this. There’s a lot of different areas that students can grow into.”

School district officials said other companies in the automotive industry still have the opportunity to support the program at levels that range from $500 to $25,000.

Jeff Bollier: jbollier@pressgazettemedia.com or on Twitter: @GBstreetiwse.