Teens learn life skills at Auto Craft Shop

By Lori NewmanJuly 16, 2010

Two teens are learning valuable life skills at the Fort Sam Houston Auto Craft Shop as part of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's HIRED! Apprenticeship Program.

Cristian Vasquez and Natashja Avitia began working at the shop during the last term of the HIRED! Program and decided to stay for a second term, which started June 28.

The teens work at the shop four hours a day - up to 15 hours per week - for 13 weeks.

"When they came in they knew nothing about automotive," said Auto Craft Shop Manager Ralph Riojas. The first week I taught them safety practices and the second week they learned about the tools Riojas explained.

During the next eight weeks, he used automobile manuals, lectures and films on car maintenance.

"We went through the coolant system, ignition system, air conditioning system and the brake system - all the systems a car has," he said adding the students need to have at least some knowledge about each before the hands-on portion of the program.

After the classes, Avitia and Vasquez apprenticed on brakes, rotors and bearings, checked air conditioning systems for problems. The students even learned fundamental machining skills - resurfacing rotors.

"They got the basics," he said. "But they're still learning every day." "I am really proud of these two kids. They are doing really well," Riojas said. "They are even thinking ahead of me sometimes."

Vasquez said he decided to work at the Auto Craft Shop because his Family's car broke down but he didn't know how to fix it. "I decided this would be a good experience for me in case any problems happened again," he said. "I'd be prepared."

"I've learned so much. I came in here not knowing anything, not even how to change a tire. Now I can do brakes," Avitia said. "I'm planning on getting a cheap car with the money a get [from the HIRED! Program].

Now I'll know how to fix it," she said. Avitia said she might even look into becoming a mechanic as a career. Along with Vasquez and Avitia the shop is taking on two more teens for this term of the program. "We are going to help teach them," Avitia said proudly.

"Mr. Riojas has been doing a great job teaching and mentoring the kids," said Jessica Castillo, Child, Youth & School Services workforce preparation specialist. "He is teaching them skills they will be able to utilize their whole lives."

The Auto Craft Shop offers Soldiers and Department of Defense civilians a place to work on their vehicles at a minimal cost. Patrons check out tools and staffers are available to help answer questions or direct people to a mechanic when warranted.