Van Horn Auto Group Help Expand Plymouth High School Automotive Lab

PHS auto shop gets new hoists!

The newly expanded automotive lab at Plymouth High School now features two new state-of-the-art vehicle hoists made possible thanks to a partnership with the Van Horn Automotive Group.

The asymmetric hydraulic hoists are exactly like what is used in professional auto shops, said instructor Mike Fels.

In addition, the shop was expanded over the summer, so the new hoists are more conveniently located and easier to drive into. The hoists and shop configuration accommodate more student projects at the same time, Mr. Fels said.

The auto lab is part of the LTC-Plymouth Science & Technology Center located at Plymouth High School, which also features Haas CNC mills and simulators, a high-tech lathe, high-speed packaging equipment, a metal fabrication training facility, a 3-D printer and a laser engraver. The facility is used by high school students during the day and by college students in the evening.

The auto hoists are the first phase of improvements to the auto lab. In 2011, Van Horn has agreed to donate $15,000 per year for three years to upgrade the PHS lab.

The second installment, received in December, is likely to be earmarked for updated tools, including hand tools, power tools and electronic diagnostic tools, Mr. Fels said.

In addition to the funds, Van Horn has offered to share its own shop, equipment, vehicles and personnel to enhance the education of auto tech students. It is an example of the type of partnership the district is hoping to forge with area employers, to take advantage of local expertise in return for better-trained workers.

“The Van Horn Automotive Group wants students to realize that being an auto technician is a great job,” said Teresa Van Horn. “With this donation our company is hoping to help produce future employees. Good technicians are hard to find, and there is nothing better than finding them from our own community.”

Mr. Fels’ overall goal is for the shop to become certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation. That will allow the program to articulate better with Lakeshore Technical College.

The auto shop runs on student-based projects, and students are encouraged to bring in cars to work on. Mr. Fels also provides a range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles and snowmobiles.

Students perform general maintenance as well as custom work. Mr. Fels’ 1995 pickup truck, for example, has a 2006 engine installed by students.

Plymouth High School offers two automotive classes, a semester-long basic auto class and a yearlong auto tech class, as well as independent study.

Not all of the students in his classes will go on to careers as auto technicians. Because auto technology has become so technical – it’s now more video games than wrenches, Mr. Fels said – it offers a great background for engineering and related fields.

“The class is a good breadth of mechanical information, along with mechanical and computer that lends itself to a lot of careers,” he said. “It is very hands one, a great opportunity to experience the engineering first hand.”


Source: Plymouth School District e-Newsletter