Bean Automotive Group and Miami Dade College hold Inaugural Automotive Apprenticeship Program Graduation

The joint venture of Bean Automotive Group and MDC is the first of its kind to create high-demand, skilled jobs in the automotive sector.

Bean Automotive Group and Miami Dade College (MDC) with support from Career Source South Florida and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council Miami Community Ventures launched the program in an effort to increase the labor force of automotive technicians. The graduation ceremony was held on September 16th, 9:00 am at Bean Automotive Group corporate offices at 13750 SW 136 Street, Miami FL 33186.

“This is an incredible achievement for the graduates. Automotive maintenance is not what it used to be. Advanced technology has made our vehicles safer and more efficient, but also far more complex. Our new graduates will be able to meet those challenges and start their journey into a rewarding career that is in high demand,” said Bean Automotive Group Dealer Principal, Lori Bean. “We thank all partners who helped bring this program to fruition.”

The first graduating class received an Automotive Technician Specialist certification from the Florida Department of Education and carried through their continued employment at Bean Automotive Group with a fast-track career path towards advanced A.S.E. certifications. The unique program, co-developed with MDC, provided advanced training covering competencies required to start their skilled career path.

Miami Dade College’s Provost, Dr. Malou C. Harrison stated, “MDC has revved up its collaborations with the automotive industry toward providing learn-and-earn apprenticeship opportunities to meet specialized workforce demands.  We are so pleased to celebrate this group of highly talented graduates with our partners Bean Automotive Group and Career Source South Florida, and we will be inducting a second cohort of 25 apprentices that will start soon at Bean Automotive Group dealerships”.

“We don’t always get the chance to do something great while we’re doing something good,” said William D. Talbert, Interim President & CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council. “But this Apprenticeship Program not only graduates some much-needed certified automotive technician specialists, but it also creates strong career pathways for those who need it most. That’s why Mike Finney was so committed to its success. Partnerships like these allow us to do something great for these individuals and their families while we establish programs that keep our talent pipeline future-ready – and that’s good for Miami-Dade as a whole.”

“We work with employers to design training programs that are tailored to their specific needs and industry standards,” said Rick Beasley, Executive Director of CareerSource South Florida. “We recruit individuals who are highly motivated and provide them with an opportunity to grow and the tools they need to advance. There is nothing more rewarding than celebrating their success.”