GREAT FALLS — The automotive shop at Paris Gibson Education Center has been teaching students how to care for cars for 15 years. The advanced courses taught at the shop are available to students who complete the first two under-the-hood classes offered at Great Falls High School and CMR High School.
“In this facility we do all the under-car work, so when a student leaves the idea is they’ve got a good common knowledge of everything and all operating systems in the vehicle,” said Auto A.S.E. instructor Joe Wilkins.
Completing all three courses is meant to certify students to enter the work force or further their education.
“Passing knowledge on to students is always gratifying especially when you see the lightbulb come on where they really grasp it. They really want to take off and run with it. It’s great to work with students that get it because they want to be here. They want to do these things and it’s very satisfying,” said Wilkins.
Since the inception of the Paris Gibson Auto Program, 208 students have graduated with a National Certification of Automotive Service Excellence; 142 of those graduates are still working in the auto industry in 2021.
