Automotive Technology Seniors Joshua Stebbins and Tyler Hubbard have been working for local automotive dealerships as part of the Work Based Learning at Cheney Tech. They are applying the skills they developed in shop gaining real world experience and getting paid to do it.

Joshua has been working at Carter Chevrolet for the past two years. In business since 1936, Carter Chevrolet is one of Hartford and Tolland County's premier Chevrolet dealers. Joshua works about 20 hours a week usually splitting his time evenly between school and work.

Joshua says that he enjoys working at Carter. "I do all types of work here. Right now I am working on changing the brakes on a Chevy Impala." Ryan Williams, Service Manager at Carter Chevrolet, said that Joshua has been a good worker. "He came in with a strong foundation in the field and he has grown and developed his skills here at Carter."

Joshua with Carter Chevrolet Service Manager Ryan Williams

Tyler Hubbard has been working at Suburban Subaru for the past year. Located in Vernon-Rockville, Surbarban Subaru has been a selling and servicing Subaru vehicles for over twenty years. Tyler says that his experience at Suburban has been great. "It's a very comfortable place to work. Everyone is friendly and helpful and I have learned a great deal here."

Service Manager Rick Manas said he has been very impressed by the skills Tyler brought to the job. "You can tell that he has received top-notch training at Cheney Tech." Manas should know about the quality education available at Cheney, he is a 1987 graduate of the school himself. He has been working at the Suburban for the past twenty years.

Tyler is involved in all aspects of work at Suburban ranging from pre-delivery inspections to overhauling engines. Asked about what he wants to do when he graduates, Tyler said that he hopes he can keep working at Sububan on a full-time basis. Manas said that he would be very happy to have Tyler as a full-time employee. "We are currently in the negotiation stage," said Manas with a smile.

Tyler with Suburban Subaru Service Manager Rick Manas