Excelsior Automotive Technician Task Force Will Develop Educational Programs to Train Workers for Specific Car Manufacturers
During the opening of the New York International Auto Show at the Javits Center in Manhattan New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of a new task force that will develop programs for training auto technicians and enabling participants to directly transition into the industry.
"One of the things we're going to do here in this state is change our education system, where the State University of New York is going to offer specialized training in tandem with the manufacturers so that you can go to school and come out as a Nissan-certified technician or a Honda-certified technician or a BMW technician," Governor Cuomo said. "We have over 75,000 technician jobs that are good jobs, high-paying jobs, and we want to educate New Yorkers for those jobs right here in New York. This new task force will set us on that path."
Many current vocational programs offer a generalized technician program, however training that is more specific offers benefits to both students and companies. Typically, auto manufacturers require a unique training program to teach prospective technicians how to work on their vehicles. This work is currently happening at several SUNY schools where they are working with automotive companies like Subaru, Tesla and Toyota.
We have over 75,000 technician jobs that are good jobs, high-paying jobs, and we want to educate New Yorkers for those jobs right here in New York. This new task force will set us on that path said Governor Cuomo.
The Task Force will convene stakeholders from the automotive, labor, manufacturing and academic arenas to address the following areas in the marketplace:
- Improve the current automotive technician curricula at the secondary and higher education levels to ensure it is keeping pace with technology;
- Identify and improve current training models and facilities to ensure they reflect modern workforce needs;
- Replicate and scale best practices and educational models to reach dealers and potential technicians in online space;
- Develop and implement professional development programs for teachers and college professors to ensure they are aligned with market needs;
- Create new veteran and women specific campaigns to broaden the diversity of the workforce;
- Develop and invest in new re-training programs and apprenticeships to enable new and older workers to continue their careers; and
- Explore options with correctional institutions to create an automotive technician reentry program.
