One of the most important relationships training programs develop are those with employer partners. Through those partnerships students are able to get the most up-to-date work-based learning experiences and the feedback the workforce councils provide is critical in making improvements to the training students receive. As part of that feedback, Auto Body Collision Repair and Paint recently received two donations that will help the students in that trade get training that will lead to better opportunities.

Mackin’s Auto Body is one of Springdale’s Work Based Learning sites. Many Springdale Auto Body students intern at Mackin’s and some of them move in to full time work after graduation. Mackin’s recently donated a welder that will help students fine tune their welding skill and make them even more employable. Matt Sullivan, the Auto Body Paint instructor, appreciates the addition to the classroom. “I can now have between two and four students working on their welding skills at the same time. It means more students are able to get hands-on experience with equipment they’ll use on their worksites.”

One of the newest relationships has been with Commercial Airplane Painting Service (CAPS). CAPS works with some of the biggest names in airplane manufacturing, painting new planes and getting them ready to take off. BCL Anna Snyder was excited to get the relationship with CAPS off the ground. “They have a comprehensive training program and a great need for people willing to be trained. Their outreach coordinator contacted us and it has led to several of our graduates starting a whole new career path they might not have considered when they first came to Springdale.”

CAPS uses specialized equipment to paint the aircraft. In order to makes sure students coming in had some familiarity with the air guns they use, they generously trained Paint instructor Matt Sullivan and Repair instructor Cy Nelson on how to use the equipment and donated two air guns to the training program. “Students who are looking at CAPS as the employer they want to work for will now have a chance to get some work with the equipment before they ever start at the company,” explained Rachel. “This is a generous gift and we are excited for our students to have that opportunity.”

Thank you to our partners in the community who make it possible for our students to get the hands-on training and skills they will need to succeed!