Partners in Automotive Career Education

Partners in Automotive Career Education, a partnership of four automotive repair firms with two community-based organizations and two schools, is building new career training capacity in automotive technology and repair for low-income Boston residents. PACE first offered training in January 2005 after 10 months of development.

PACE helps employers analyze their staff skill development needs by training new employees and current entry-level workers in automotive skills, as well as English language and math skills customized to the automotive industry. The partnership targets immigrants and African Americans, improving their access to an industry that pays good wages and offers many opportunities for career advancement. SkillWorks funding enables PACE to address the needs of an industry held back by a severe shortage of skilled employees, while providing Boston workers with new avenues for advancement to family-supporting incomes. Approximately 80 people have completed the training and have experienced successful job placement as well as wage increases of about $2 per hour.