Seventeen students from three northern New Jersey high schools – Clifton High School, Kearny High School, and Lyndhurst High School – recently participated in an immersive worksite tour hosted by IAM Local 447. These students, all aspiring automotive and diesel technicians, are considering enrollment in the IAM CREST Auto and Diesel Technician’s Apprenticeship Program.
The tour’s purpose was to provide students with firsthand insight into life on the job. They visited two active IAM Local 447 worksites – Hudson Toyota in Jersey City and Penske Truck Leasing in Linden – where they had the opportunity to engage with supervisors, journeyman technicians, and former apprentices. These mentors shared their experiences and offered advice about what it takes to succeed in the industry.
These shops are just two of many in northern New Jersey that actively support the IAM apprenticeship program by hosting and mentoring apprentices. New entrants to the program typically begin with basic maintenance tasks and progress through a structured pathway toward becoming fully certified journeyman mechanics.
“Giving students the chance to see real-world work environments and speak directly with experienced technicians is invaluable,” said IAM Safety and Health, Apprenticeships, and Scholarships Director Michael Oathout. “It helps them connect their career goals with a clear path forward through our apprenticeship program.”
The IAM CREST Auto and Diesel Technician’s Apprenticeship Program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor and receives support from the New Jersey Department of Labor.
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