Schools
North Farmington Automotive Program Teaching Skills for the Future
David Verbeke and his students at North Farmington are preparing for the future and for state competition this spring.
teacher David Verbeke is preparing some of his students for a state competition in April, but he’s also helping prepare them for careers.
Some of the students in the school's automotive program are hoping to move on to make their living as automotive technicians. A.J. Kraus is one of them.
The junior placed first in the electrical category at regional competition for SkillsUSA, formerly known as Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA). His classmate Domenic Accettura placed second in the brakes category. The two are headed to state-wide competition on April 15 in Lansing. Each school program takes eight students to compete in four different categories: electrical, brakes, master tech and new car prep.
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Kraus planned when he first started high school to join North's automotive program and use his skills to prepare a career.
“I plan on opening my own shop,” Kraus said. “I’m going to Michigan State for a business degree.”
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Program members have cars donated to them and work on their own vehicles. Some were even working on a car that belongs to a student's father.
David Belt placed fourth in master tech, just one point from qualifying for state competition. The senior isn’t sure what he wants to do after high school, but enjoys the experience that the class offers.
“You definitely get a lot from this class,” Belt said. “We go more into projects than just classroom skills. You get more from doing rather than listening and watching videos.”
The program started as the result of a joint effort by GM, Ford, Chrysler and other automotive companies.
“GM, Ford, Chrysler and then the foreign companies all got to the state and said ‘we need automotive technicians,’” Verbeke said. “They said there is a shortage of technicians.”
Verbeke’s program is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, after an on-site evaluation. Students also competed at the International Auto Show. But it isn’t just about success at the competitions for Verbeke.
“One of the things we try to do is get some of them that are really interested is get state certified, then by getting their state license, they can at least get their foot in the door,” Verbeke said. “I get some kids that go on to engineering, we get a few every year that will go on to some mechanical program.”
