The point is that all of these systems will obviously need service, and the people who do it will have to know how to handle all the relevant computer and telecommunications technologies. Yet the shortage of people with the most-needed technical skills persists in all industry in general, not just automotive service. But the vocational schools can't do it on their own. The vocational schools' role in providing the training is only half of the equation. The other half is the role of business in providing work site learning and putting people to work once they have the training.
Business has to be a full partner.
Again, that s what the AYES program is all about. A few years ago, I was in charge of GM's automotive operations in Europe. While I lived there, I saw first-hand the value of something that we have all but forgotten in this country. It's called the apprenticeship system. In Germany alone, more than 600,000 people have graduated as apprentices in the past ten years.