I was interested to learn about the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Foundation’s $25 million federal grant for technician apprenticeship programs.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded the grant to help increase registered apprenticeships across several areas, including commercial vehicle service technicians. Fleets, dealers and service shops that participate in registered apprenticeship programs are eligible for $3,500 for each apprentice they hire. There are some time parameters for technician retention.

Apprenticeship programs help inexperienced technicians gain hands-on experience in addition to classroom learning, which can boost confidence in their abilities to handle maintenance and repair procedures successfully. An apprenticeship program pairs a new technician with an experienced tech who serves as a mentor and oversees the apprentice's work.

Offering an apprenticeship allows you to demonstrate your commitment to learning and growth for your employees. They also allow you to begin familiarizing new employees with your corporate culture, procedures, and policies so that, from the very beginning, they will be completing tasks in the manner you prefer.

Workers benefit from apprenticeship programs by being paid while they learn on the job. They receive a skills-based education that better prepares them for their career with your fleet.