The soldiers typically begin their training within 90 days before being discharged. When finished, they're qualified to handle light repairs and ready to begin GM's in-dealership tech training program, if they get hired.
Mr. Miller said GM is aware of 35 of the 116 graduate soldiers who are employed at GM dealerships. Some find jobs at other shops while others might choose not to become a full-time mechanic, he said.
“A lot of them get a position in the field that may not be directly at a GM dealership, but we're happy to help fill the mission of the Army to find that solider a good-paying job,” Mr. Miller said.
The program, “Shifting Gears,” is a multiyear partnership among the Army, GM and defense contractor Raytheon Co., which for years has partnered with GM on its technician-training programs across the country, Mr. Miller said.
Mark Chockran, general manager at All American Chevrolet of Killeen, said his store has hired three graduates to work as technicians.
“Their understanding of the technology and GM service systems puts them ahead of other candidates,” Mr. Chockran said in a statement.
Mr. Miller described the program as “still in its infancy” and said there is the potential to expand the training to other locations if the Fort Hood effort proves successful.
Mr. Miller hopes the program eventually will serve as a pipeline to fill some 2,500 technician vacancies that pop up each year across GM's roughly 4,300 dealerships because of retirements and turnover.
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This report appeared on the website of Automotive News, a Detroit-based sister publication of Tire Business.