Franklin High School Earns Automotive Youth Education System ­ AYES Certification

Portland, Oregon ­ The Automotive Technologies program at Franklin High School receives AYES certification Tuesday, December 3 in a ceremony scheduled for 9:30 AM in the school's Media Center. Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) was launched in April 1995 to address a growing problem among auto dealerships nationwide: a scarcity of qualified entry-level service technicians. AYES is forging partnerships between automotive manufacturers, franchised new car dealerships and local high schools to prepare young people for challenging, well-paid careers in automotive service. The program strives to build bridges between the expectations of dealership employers and what is being taught in the classroom.

The AYES experience begins formally in the 11th grade and continues through the 12th grade, and includes paid on-the-job training at participating dealerships. AYES includes a strong "mentoring" component, in which experienced dealership technicians assume the responsibility to educate, guide and encourage students during their internships. When the student graduates from high school and has earned an AYES certificate, he or she should be fully qualified as an entry-level technician. Students are not limited to this initial career move, however. Some new AYES graduates may opt to pursue college degrees at the associate or baccalaureate level, or take advantage of other postsecondary educational opportunities.

The Metro Portland New Car Dealers Association steadfastly supports automotive technology training programs. Association members can attest to the fact talented and experienced automotive technicians are much in demand. Dealers offer many family wage jobs in their Service Departments and there is real concern that if more student's don't enter program's like Franklin's these jobs will go unfilled. Technicians working in Portland area dealerships typically earn $30,000 to $50,000 annually. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that some talented technicians earn $70,000 to $100,000 a year.