PHS Auto program gives students tools of the trade

Nineteen-year-old Zack Rampone stood amid a room full of Palatka Junior-Senior High School Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair students on Wednesday, talking about his budding career at Beck Automotive Group.

A few short years ago, Rampone was among those students. Now, Rampone is working full time as a lube technician at the Palatka auto dealership and credits the school’s Career & Technical Education program and the school’s auto mechanics instructor David Garison for helping him find his niche and a career he enjoys.

“I was kind of a little delinquent,” Rampone said, flashing a slight smile. “Garison provided me with that interest (in auto mechanics). … He just kind of helped me figure out what I needed to do.”

More than 30 Palatka students gathered in the school’s Panther Den this week for the Automotive Industry Certification Award Luncheon. Garison handed each student a certificate acknowledging the Automotive Service Tech certifications each attained through the school’s career tech program.

The group was treated to a catered lunch and each student received a Craftsman toolbox, courtesy of Lowe’s Home Improvement in Palatka. Five students got a big box for completing all 10 automotive certifications.

But the event wasn’t just a certification ceremony. It doubled as a career networking opportunity.

Professional mechanics from Beck Automotive Group, which helps sponsor the program, as well as the company’s human resources director, attended and made themselves available to talk with students about career prospects right here in town. After a presentation explaining what the students have been learning through computerized simulation — from basic engine design and repair to engine construction, as well as business management, inventory and shop management — the teacher emphasized how important it was to meet the pros.

“Make sure you do not leave this room until you have met multiple people from Beck — especially the HR director,” Garison told his students.

The crowd laughed, but the meaning was clear.

“This is so important, to emphasize the trade skills,” said Wayne McClain, vice president of the auto company. Not everyone needs to be college-bound, he said.

Superintendent Rick Surrency, speaking to the students, said the Beck company is up to 347 employees.

“That’s tremendous, growing our own right here,” Surrency said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the Palatka Junior-Senior High automotive program.”

Craig Alexander, Beck’s fixed operations director, said he forged a relationship with the school’s instructor around 2013 with the intent to begin a program that could help students “grow and learn in our field.”

Alexander said he started working at the dealership 31 years ago, working his way up from grunt work. Rampone said he didn’t have to mop any floors or wash cars when he started out. He went straight into using the tools he was taught throughout the career program.

Garrison summarized the head start his students are getting.

“You guys have an opportunity that a lot of folks don’t have,” the instructor said.

Alexander echoed the sentiment, saying that’s exactly what the program is for — a better opportunity and encouraging the will to pursue it.

“Hopefully,” said Alexander, “It gives them some drive to want to move forward. There are some really good jobs — high-paying jobs right here.”