Four Ulster BOCES Auto Collision Technology students are gaining real-world, work-based experience by participating in the school's Capstone work-study program.

The students, Joseph Decker and Dylan Brainard, both of the Saugerties Central School District, Christian Mendez of the New Paltz Central School District, and Jared Fischer of the Onteora Central School District, spend four of their five Career & Technical Center school days onsite at different automotive repair shops, including H & V Collision Center, Larsen Restoration & Design, and Sawyer Motors automotive dealership.

The students agree that working in a business environment is enhancing the technical skills and related academic lessons they receive in the Auto Collision Technology program. They like that the program allows them to experience working in their chosen career field while earning a paycheck.

"The Auto Collision program really sets us up to go to work every day and Capstone is a great program for kids who aren't sure if they want to do this as a career," says Fisher, who is employed at H & V Collision in Kingston.

Decker, who also works at H & V Collision, says working closely with his mentor Shaun Maher, a 2009 Ulster BOCES Automotive Technology and Kingston City School District graduate, has helped him gain valuable experience and move from entry-level work–like cleaning and washing cars and marking damaged parts–to more advanced services like filling holes; repairing scratches, dents, and dings; and making cars look as good as new. "I learn a lot every day. It's one-on-one working with Shaun and I work with him six hours a day," says Decker, explaining the atmosphere has shown him how a real business runs. "It's a work environment, not a classroom with 30 kids."

Rich Tanchyk, assistant vice president at H & V Collision Centers, says the Capstone program has been a win-win partnership for his company and students in the Ulster BOCES automotive programs.

"H & V Collision Center has placed a priority on customer satisfaction and repair excellence during our more than 40 years in business. H&V has been able to forge a solid working partnership with Ulster BOCES because of the level of training and education provided to students in the Capstone program. Through our partnership, H & V has hired seven students from Capstone, and we look forward to continuing to work with Ulster BOCES in the coming years," says Tanchyk.

Automotive Collision Technology instructor Rosenberg says he's grateful to have H & V, Larsen Restoration & Design, and Sawyer Motors working on behalf of the students in his program. "Having a supportive business community that builds positive work-based partnerships allows us to create an educated workforce and secure the next generation of skilled workers," said Rosenberg.