Program helps Newton man land dream job

Alex Bare always knew he wanted to work on cars, he just needed to get the right training. Thanks to a unique partnership between DMACC and a local automobile dealer, Noble Auto Group, he was able to land the job he wanted.

Bare, a Newton High School graduate, recently graduated from the MOPAR Chrysler Career Automotive Program, part of DMACC’s Industry and Technology classes. During the program Bare participated in an internship at Noble in Newton where he was able to get hands on experience.

The program is structured in a way that allows students like Bare to attend classes for several weeks, and at the conclusion of each classroom unit students get hands on experience working on the same issues in a real world situation.

“It gives you the experience that you need to excel in the real world,” Bare said.

One of the biggest advantages to the internship program for students like Bare is his internship was a paid, instead of unpaid. Having a chance to make money while he was in school helped Bare offset the cost of tools, which are one of the biggest expenses that automotive technicians face, especially when they’re first starting out in the business.

“It’s awesome because you get paid to learn, and it really helps you get through college,” Bare said.

Bare completed the program earlier this summer, and last week was his first week on the job as a full time technician at Noble. The skills he learned during his classes and internship gave him the ability to hit the ground running from day one.

“It felt like the beginning of another internship, but it was the start of my full-time career,” Bare said. “The people are awesome to work with here, and I’ve got really good support.”

When Matt Lane, the Fixed Operations Director at Noble Automotive Group first met Bare, he knew immediately that Alex was going to have a long career in the automotive industry. He was so impressed by Bare’s aptitude and willingness to learn he offered him a job at the dealership even before the internship began, just to give Bare a chance to get comfortable working in the shop.

“I knew he was sharp, and I just thought, ‘this kid is going to stick with it’,” Lane said. “When you see something in them, you give them a chance.”

Programs like this one help address the need for qualified automotive technicians, which is why dealerships are eager to participate. There is an industry wide shortage of trained technicians, and combining the classroom element with hands on experience is key to making sure that students like Bare get the training they need to be successful in the industry.

“The goal is to have them come to the dealership and do the same type of repairs,” Lane said. “They learn the book side of it, and then they come here to learn the hands on side of it.”

For Bare, working on cars has been a lifelong dream. His father works in auto body repair and growing up Bare has always been interested in cars. Cruising Newton in his vintage Dodge Coronet and working at a local auto parts store, he’s immersed himself in automobiles.

“There’s no better way to make a living than doing something that you enjoy,” Bare said. “If you do that you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com