Auto Tech students are hoping to go to California this May for some training with Electric GT for electric vehicles training.

I also spoke to some of the students. They told me how they are currently working on their Safety Inspection certifications, explaining that these certifications are essential for their field and required to perform a car inspection. Most students applied what they had learned from their state inspection training to their projects. Not many could tell me exactly what they wanted to do after high school, but Nathaniel Sullivan said he joined the class as he found working on cars fun and now sees diesel

mechanics in his future. Diesel mechanics, or diesel specialists, work on diesel-powered vehicles and machinery. Oftentimes, their task lists include inspections, diagnosis, repair, maintenance troubleshooting and customer service. Students Aiden Kassick and Blake Terifinko talked about really enjoying the window motor circuit board. They explained that the circuit demonstrated how the window worked on the inside of the door. They told me the components comprised a direct current combined with worm gear, and a sensor was mounted to generate pulse signals and control the window.

I met the students working on the project going to California. Spencer Parker and Braiden Binder showed me around the shop. Both students mentioned wanting to attend trade school after high school but are still looking for the ones that will best suit them. Some of the best trade schools for auto technicians include Pittsburg State University, Universal Technical Institute and Northern Michigan University. They also explained that Electric GT is the leading provider of electric vehicle power training systems and electric vehicle parts and how excited they are to have this opportunity to receive this training. From the training itself, they can expect to learn about Electric Vehicle production, assembly and repair.

These students are incredibly grateful for this opportunity and their instructors for teaching them what they know of their field and supporting them through applying for the training. Currently, the program is gathering funds for their trip. They have gathered over half of the $6,000 needed for the trip. If you want to donate, it can be sent to Mike Galler, principal, Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, 3300 Chester Ave. Please note “California Trip” on the donation.

Whether working on their California project, their state inspection certifications, or just some shop projects, these students have been working hard to achieve their academic goals, and it is paying off.