ABERDEEN, S.D. – In the Automotive Program at Aberdeen Central’s ATEC Academy, students get to do all kinds of hands-on work, from fixing dents to replacing tires to repainting a vehicle.
"I like the hands-on,” said CHS junior Tyson Volek. “That’s kind of how I learn.”
Getting that hands-on learning is an important part of all career and technical education courses at ATEC Academy.
“It’s the exposure to a lot of different fields and trades,” said ATEC Auto Teacher Dan Trefz. “But then it’s also the different skills that go along with it. There’s still mathematics. There’s still English. We still do some writing.”
In his courses, students also work on skills such as communication and budgeting, Trefz said.
Trefz teaches two year-long auto classes, along with a quarter-long diesel class, a quarter-long intro to auto class and a quarter-long autobody class. He gets a mix of students in his classes—some have no experience, while others know it’s what they want to pursue as a career.
“In the intro to auto class, we have some that don’t even know how to use a wrench or a ratchet,” Trefz said. “We have some that have worked on cars for years. Even in the year-long class, we have some that have more experience than others. Some are just looking to get some more experience. Some are looking like this is going to be a hobby. Then there’s some that this is going to be their lifelong careers.”
But even if students aren’t planning to work in the field, the classes still provide life skills.
That’s true for Volek.
“I don’t think I’m going into the field of automotive,” Volek said, “but a lot of the stuff I do in here, I can do on my own in the future.”
In the auto classes, some students work on their own cars, but local businesses and organizations have also donated vehicles for students to work on. That includes Aberdeen Chrysler.
“In the past, we have donated inoperative vehicles to the auto class to be used as educational tools in an effort to make sure the instructor has some sort of props when teaching his class,” said Jeff Schick, Service Manager at Aberdeen Chrysler.
Schick said Aberdeen Chrysler believes it’s important to start auto technicians at an early age and employ them if they can.
“With them taking the auto class and working for us, it gives them a jumpstart if they decide to enroll in a vocational auto class after high school,” Schick said. “It also gives us a chance to evaluate the student to see if it is anyone that we would participate in paying a part of their tuition in return for them coming to work for us after they graduate.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.