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Hometown heroes for EMS students

Last Friday morning Jim Jackson was host and tour guide for 21 Elkins Middle School students in our STREAM mentoring program when they visited Elkins Fordland.

It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to see a local business man who really cares about kids. Mr. Jackson also serves as a basketball coach at EMS and has supported the Kump Education Center STREAM program, the YMCA, and other youth activities.

STREAM students were amazed to see that the owner of a state-of-the-art car dealership would take time to talk with them about future jobs that are available for them right here in their hometown.

After a short talk in the showroom, Mr. Jackson led the students to the Parts Department where thousands of Ford parts are ready to be used for car repairs. He took them into the mechanics’ bays where repairs are made, and he showed them the huge hydraulic lifts that are used for truck servicing and repair.

Mr. Jackson said construction has just been completed on a “detail” building where new cars will be cleaned and prepped for internet advertising photos that will go on the market the day the cars are delivered to the dealership. “Cars move fast,” he added. It’s not enough to have a great product, beautiful showroom, and effective service department; modern businesses must have amazing internet advertising and sales.

After students saw Elkins Fordland, Mr. Jackson took them on a quick tour of Elkins Auto where he sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. He said there were 52 employment positions available in the two locations, and that they often hire graduates from Randolph County Technical Center with wages starting at about $15 per hour. When employees get additional certifications on different tasks, they can earn more income. Responsible and highly motivated individuals do quite well.

Randolph County Technical Center was the next stop on our STREAM program field trip. Three award-winning students led tours of classes where students can be trained for: Automotive Technology, Carpentry, Business Education, Collision Repair Technology, Electrical Technology, Health Occupations, Industrial Equipment Maintenance, Law & Public Safety, Practical Nursing, Mill and Cabinetry, Robotics, Power Equipment Systems, and Pro-Start Food Service.

Our STREAM students could see that they could get training in a variety of specialized occupations that are needed in Randolph County.

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