Collision Repair students recently visited North Amherst Motors and were taken on a tour of the shop by FCTS alum Aiyana Drouin, class of 2020, who showed them several aspects of collision repair, including painting prep, painting, assembly, disassembly and detailing.
Andrew Potter, the company president said tech graduates are highly trained and bring a "great attitude, strong work ethic and enthusiasm" to the job.
“The majority of our team went to Franklin County Tech,” Potter said. “There’s a deep connection between North Amherst Motors and the school. I trust the recommendations of the instructors that the students are ready for the workplace. They’re dedicated, loyal and they want careers in collision repair.”
Drouin, 22, initially went to FCTS to become a cosmetologist, but switched to Collision Repair and Refinishing because she wanted to paint vehicles. She worked at North Amherst Motors as a cooperative education student and was hired fulltime after graduation.
“I’ve worked in three departments,” Drouin said. “I started as a detailer and now I’m manager of Production and manager of the Parts Department.”
Cadance Fisher, 14, a freshman from Greenfield, said she plans to continue in the Collision Repair and Refinishing program and the tour of North Amherst Motors was helpful in showing what a real workplace would look like.
“I really liked it,” she said. “There’s always something you can be doing and there are so many options. I like the hands-on work.”