Dynamic Automotive Joins Maryland Apprenticeship Ambassador Program
Frederick company attracts new talent to high-tech automotive careers
BALTIMORE (Aug. 7, 2018) – Maryland Labor Secretary Kelly M. Schulz this week welcomed Dynamic Automotive to the Maryland Apprenticeship Ambassador Program. The Frederick-based company is credited for using youth and Registered Apprenticeship to foster careers in the high-tech automotive industry, and for raising awareness about the program that has helped the company to fill in the gaps of its aging workforce.
Dynamic currently employs two youth apprentices and three registered apprentices. The company has aggressively promoted the program by redesigning its website to highlight apprenticeship, distributing informational flyers throughout the community, and advocating the program’s benefits to media outlets.
“It’s great to see how Dynamic Automotive has embraced apprenticeship to build a strong pipeline of workers,” said Labor Secretary Schulz. “Their dedication and enthusiasm toward creating opportunity through registered apprenticeship makes them a perfect addition to the Maryland Apprenticeship Ambassador Program.”
Apprenticeship ambassadors voluntarily cultivate and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, encouraging job seekers and businesses to engage in apprenticeship opportunities. For their commitment, ambassadors receive special recognition from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, customized advice and counsel on navigating the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program, the latest in apprenticeship news and emerging workforce trends, and valuable media exposure.
The presentation was made during Dynamic’s Benefit Car Show, now in its tenth year. This year, the popular event benefited the Second Chances Garage. As part of the event, Seeds of Life was presented with a trailer, which was refurbished by Dynamic’s two youth apprentices. The apprentices, along with Second Chances Garage, also refurbished a van that was presented to the YMCA of Frederick County. The van was provided to help offset the loss of four buses during the flooding in Frederick earlier this year.
Dynamic Automotive has implemented both the youth and Registered Apprenticeship programs to create a clear career path for apprentices. A student can start in the youth program during their junior or senior years of high school, allowing them to earn credit for school while working and earning a wage. The guided path gives experience and knowledge to the apprentice while working, and is a great way to see if the automotive industry is right for the apprentice.
“A big problem for us was getting young minds and their parents interested in the automotive field. It’s a stereotype that this is a dirty industry and you cannot make a good living doing this. Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Dynamic Automotive Owner and Managing Partner Dwayne Myers. “There are more lines of computer code in today’s car then in the F-35 strike fighter, a lot more. The most advanced military aircraft has 35 million lines of code. Today’s new vehicles have three times that. You need continuing education to be able to repair and diagnose these complex systems. These apprenticeship programs help to do just that.”
Dynamic’s Registered Apprenticeship program is much more in-depth and structured to promote growth and learning in an automotive career. The 3-year plan is a career path that lays out which college classes the apprentice will attend, the hours they will work and when and how much their compensation will be increased.
Dynamic’s goal is to place the apprentice in one of their multiple locations, working alongside a team of experienced automotive service excellence certified technicians. To stay on top of ever-changing vehicle technology, Dynamic provides continued training and a culture of professional development.
Since the beginning of the Hogan administration in January 2015, the number of registered apprentices has grown by nearly 20 percent. Today, approximately 9,600 apprentices are learning and earning throughout Maryland. In 2017, a total of 15 new registered apprenticeship programs were created and seven were re-activated, resulting in a record year for the program.
Businesses and job seekers interested in apprenticeships are invited to contact info@mdapprenticeship.com or call 410-767-2246.
About the Maryland Department of Labor
The Maryland Department of Labor is committed to safeguarding and protecting Marylanders. We're proud to support the economic stability of the state by providing businesses, the workforce, and the consuming public with high-quality, customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. For updates and information, follow the Maryland Department of Labor on Twitter (@MD_Labor), Facebook and visit our website.
About Dynamic Automotive
Dynamic Automotive is an industry leader in automotive repair. Dynamic Automotive has been serving Frederick County residents since 1995 and has established a coveted reputation as an honest, responsive and competitive automotive repair company. Dynamic Automotive uses the utmost in state of the art technology and advanced level technicians to service domestic and import vehicles.
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