At the back of Frenship High School, the auto shop is always buzzing with activity as students roll up their sleeves and get hands-on experience fixing cars. With over 100 students across eight classes, the Frenship Automotive Technology CTE program is steering the next generation of mechanics toward success.
The Auto Tech program at Frenship High School is structured to educate students over three years, starting with the fundamentals. In the Automotive Basics class, students learn the essential principles of the automotive industry, emphasizing shop safety, EPA and OSHA guidelines, basic vehicle maintenance, and electrical fundamentals.
As students progress to Auto 1, they dive into the diagnostic side of auto repair. They focus on brakes, steering, and, suspension. They also begin to broaden electrical knowledge, introducing electronic systems and electrical diagnosis. Auto 2 shifts things into high gear, allowing students to work on actual vehicles.
Dana Vinson, the Auto Tech teacher at FHS, explained that many of these vehicles belong to community members and staff. Since joining the program in 2017, Vinson has operated the FHS auto shop like a real auto repair facility, encouraging staff and community members to reach out for repairs. This approach not only provides practical experience for students but also strengthens their knowledge and application of automotive skills. The class services around 100 staff and community vehicles per year.
As a part of the genuine auto shop experience, Vinson explained that the students are required to diagnose the problem, create their own repair estimates including looking up parts, and implement a repair.
“We are able to run an all-encompassing program,” said Vinson. “One that not only satisfies all of the required knowledge and skills but also begins that important exposure to how a repair shop operates.”
The student auto shop can cover most repairs with the exception of engine replacement, and some transmission repairs. They do not offer any body shop services such as dent repair or painting.
Frenship is one of the few school districts to offer this service, further emphasizing Frenship’s dedication to preparing students for careers through CTE education. Every course throughout the Auto Tech program prepares students for careers in the automotive industry.
In addition to providing students with real work experience through the service shop, students in the Auto 2 class can earn industry certification. They have the opportunity to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Entry Level exams. ASE is the certification for automotive repair technicians that is accepted across the nation as the industry standard. They can also achieve an EPA 609 certification, which allows them to service air conditioning systems.
Across the nation, the automotive industry faces a significant shortage of skilled professionals. Frenship ISD is working to combat this vacancy by equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the workforce upon graduation.
Feel free to contact Dana Vinson about any vehicle repairs you need, [email protected]