Federal Grant Helps Train Auto Repair Technicians

Marisol Truster is breaking the stereotype that only men can work on cars.

“I was a massage therapist,” Truster said, as she loosened the bolts on a car bumper at Advanced Auto Collision Center under the supervision of manager Johnny Hinojos.

Now, Marisol’s getting her hands on a different kind of body. She’s one of about thirty people participating in a free class offered by El Paso Community College. The course is funded through a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Classroom leaders at EPCC are seeing all types of students, from people who have already worked at a body shop, to people who are changing careers.

“Our students have classroom training but they also have hands-on training at the various facilities,” said Luz Taboada, the director of the Workforce Development program at EPCC. “It’s a better real-world situation for them to learn.”

EPCC teamed up with several body shops around town so students have a chance to work on cars in a real work environment.

“They learn the technical aspects of collision and repair, they’re exposed to many things including the sanding, the polishing, and of course, the painting,” said Taboada.

As Marisol’s proving – the class isn’t restricted to just men, either.

“Regardless of what society says it should or shouldn’t be,” said Marisol, “If it’s something you’re interested in I say more power to you.”

Registration is underway for the second and final grant-funded course at EPCC, which begins at the end of February. Call (915) 831-7769 or (915) 831-7756 for more information.