PRESS RELEASE!
Baltimore City Automotive Students Attend DGS Fleet Management Open House
BALTIMORE, December 12, 2016 – On Friday, December 9th, thirty-five 11th and 12th grade students attended an Open House at the Department of General Services (DGS) Fleet Management Division’s George L. Winfield Facility to learn about the division’s functions and career opportunities. The students came from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical (Mervo), Forest Park, and Edmondson-Westside high schools to learn about work opportunities with the City of Baltimore. The event aligned with Mayor Catherine E. Pugh’s plan for economic development and job creation for city residents by fostering a deeper relationship between DGS and some local educational institutions to enhance opportunities for year round employment opportunities for our youth.
The students toured the facility and learned about the Work Study and Apprenticeship programs offered by DGS. During the tour, automotive professionals explained and demonstrated the wide range of diagnostic, installation, maintenance and repair duties performed on a variety of automobiles, heavy trucks, and other mechanical equipment. Many students were able to apply classroom knowledge to real world skills.
Camilo B., a junior at Mervo, said he wanted to learn about the “experiences working with coworkers in fleet management.” He added, “Communication is a big part in the auto industry.”
Twenty-seven of the students took the opportunity to complete applications for the work study program. The work study program is a paid internship ($11.50 per hour), where students will work full-time during summer breaks and part-time during the school year. Individuals who successfully complete the work study program will roll over into the apprenticeship program upon graduation. Apprentices are considered full-time Baltimore City employees, receiving all benefits offered with a starting salary of $32,975. Apprentices will be given the opportunity to become permanent auto mechanic employees with DGS. To participate in the programs, all students will need to meet and maintain certain academic and professional standards.
Damon M., 17, a senior at Edmondson said “when I graduate I want to work for the City.”
The Baltimore City Public School System offers automotive technology in a number of schools as part of its Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathways program. Baltimore City DGS recognizes that not only can it offer the students enrolled in this program the experiential, work-based learning they need, but that the students graduating from the program present a recruitment opportunity for Baltimore City. This mutually beneficial relationship was successful in the past; several employees of DGS Fleet Management division joined the organization through a similar partnership in the 1990s.
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The Department of General Services is committed to providing healthy work environments and safe reliable vehicles for City employees by delivering high quality and cost-effective support services to City agencies who serve Baltimore’s citizens and stakeholders.
Press Contact:
Name: Ryan Trout
Telephone: 410-396-4361
E-mail: ryan.trout@baltimorecity.gov
Posted By: agnes levine
Tuesday, December 13th 2016 at 4:47PM
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