HSD Partners with Schulte Subaru to Provide Tigers Hot New Career Opportunities
The South Dakota Department of Labor has cited automotive service technicians and mechanics as one of the Hot 30 Careers in the state’s next ten years. With potential job growth and the need for a skilled workforce, Harrisburg School District dove headfirst into expanding career and technical training opportunities at the high school. With construction finalized late this fall, additions to the high school included: wellness facilities, additions to the fine arts wing, a freshman academy, and the career and technical education wing with a culinary arts kitchen, school store/entrepreneurship classroom, and an automotive shop.
Automotive technologies continue to advance, and HSD, along with the generous partnership of Schulte Subaru, are advancing curriculum offerings by launching an Automotive Technology learning pathway in January 2021. Dr. Amolins, Director of Instruction and Federal Programs, noted, “In Harrisburg, our philosophy has always been to approach community partnerships as an investment and learning opportunity. By understanding the needs of our local businesses and organizations, we can ensure that the programming we are offering not only aligns with that need but also sets our learners on a pathway to success by exposing them to industry-grade resources and instruction.” Wanting to highlight the importance of automotive education, Schulte Subaru generously shared its December Keloland Living segment with the high school to highlight its new program.
To ensure learners have access to the best technology and equipment and a highly qualified
instructor, the district hired Mr. Taylor Burkett as its new automotive technology teacher. Mr. Burkett’s experience includes automotive and diesel technology, field work out of a service truck, and heavy equipment maintenance. He has also been a gear technician, building heavy-duty transmissions and differentials, with nearly 14 years of industry experience. With full rosters for the spring semester, as well as a waiting list of learners wanting to get into his classes, Mr. Burkett is eager to reach learners in the shop and teach the ins and outs of basic car care and maintenance, along with other advanced skills. “The ability for kids to get a feel for the automotive industry inside of the high school program is truly wonderful. We wouldn’t be able to provide such a real-word experience without the generous support of businesses like Schulte Subaru,” Burkett stated.
The continued support for CTE by HSD’s business and industry partners is unmatched in the region.“Career and technical education is such a deeply critical aspect of who we are as a society. Education in this area is inherently dependent on collaboration with partners such as Schulte Subaru. We can’t thank them enough for not only providing this current opportunity but also ensuring that our relationship is truly synergetic by collaborating with us on the development of curriculum and academic programming, internship opportunities, offering access to experts in the field, and assisting us in identifying the appropriate industry-grade tools and equipment we needed to prepare the future workforce in this industry,” Amolins commented. To learn more about the partnership, catch Schulte Subaru’s segment on Keloland Living Wednesday, December 9th at 2 pm.