Sometimes the best way to teach students is through other students.
At Washtenaw Community College’s Bailey Library “Active Learning Zone’’ last month, two students from the college’s Automotive Technologies program shared their backgrounds, knowledge and experiences with fellow students.
The program titled “ATC: Training the Next Generation Mobility Workforce,” was moderated
by Al Lecz, director of the college’s Advanced Transportation Center (ATC). The program
was designed to increase awareness of job opportunities in the emerging mobility job
sector.
Lecz began the program by discussing how the automotive and transportation industries are undergoing unprecedented change and innovation in terms of new product development and technology applications. He stressed that the role of the college’s Advanced Transportation Center is to create career pathways for students.
Student presenters Esther Schmidt and Daniel Gilley talked classroom, lab and problem-solving experiences – and how their experiences at WCC are preparing them for those career paths by equipping them with the skill sets business and industry now require.
“Listen in the classroom,” Schmidt said. “Then go to the lab and apply what you’ve learned. If there’s a problem, see if you can fix it.”
Both Schmidt and Gilley told their fellow students how impressed they are with the college’s equipment in the ATC. “They’re spoiling me. This stuff is really good. Check it out,” Schmidt added.
For Gilley, it’s problem solving that gets him excited. “I get insight from the group working on a problem. Solve the equation and fix the car.”
Gilley has work experience in automotive repair and Schmidt current works in the tool crib in the Automotive Services department. Her job is to assign the right tool and equipment to students working on vehicles. “This job enables me to make the connection between what tools are necessary to fix a problem.”
Allen Day is a faculty member in the college’s Transportation Technologies division. “It’s important that the college’s curricula aligns with the new technologies – giving our students the basis to apply the technology. By doing so, our students are job ready when they graduate,” Day said.
Lecz reminded students of the incredible future they can expect in mobility-related jobs…jobs that are exciting and pay well.
“Jobs in mobility can be your dream career,” Lecz said.
WCC’s Advanced Transportation Center is comprised of three pillars, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Advanced Automotive Service & Repair and Lightweight Materials/Manufacturing.
Mobility systems of the future, whether autonomous or electrical vehicles, will need a skilled workforce that can keep them running, safely and efficiently, Lecz said.
Lecz closed by citing the importance of lifelong learning – and stressed the ATC programs are also designed to be pertinent to current workers who need to upgrade their skills. “It’s a lifelong learning strategy – which will meet the needs of a wide range of ages and skill sets. On many levels, our students are contributing to eliminating the skilled trades gap – a crucial element to a strong economy.”
WCC librarian Maureen Perault coordinates the Bailey Library’s “Active Learning Zone” programs. “By partnering with different college divisions, we are able to bring meaningful and educational opportunities to our students. Having the perspective of Schmidt and Gilley was instrumental in giving the audience a real world view of the ATC programs.”
For more information about the college’s Advanced Transportation Center visit www.wccnet.edu/atc.
Tags: Advanced Transportation Center, February 2020, Mobility, On The Record, ousearch_News_On The Record