The NHRA Youth Education Services (YES) Program demonstrates how S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education is applied in real-world careers in the automotive arena. Carl Crone, Service Manager of New Holland Ford (PA), speaks highly of the YES Program.

Crone had been a Ford Senior Master Technician for 22 years before he worked his way up to his current management position at New Holland Ford, where he has been for about 40 years. Working in the automotive industry has always been something Crone enjoyed and wanted to pursue.

He started at a service station pumping gas which led him to having a strong interest in cars. This encouraged Crone to attend an automotive trade school to start working in the field, however, this wasn’t his end-goal.

“I wanted to be a Ford technician, so I worked at a Ford dealer and trained to become a Senior Master Technician,” Crone said.

“I believe we need to introduce high school students to the automotive technician position as a viable career and the YES Program gives them the opportunity to do so,” Crone explained.

Through the YES Program, students are able to meet local Ford Dealership employers, ask questions and hear about what a career as a Ford technician would look like. They also learn about New Ford Tech, a system of educational programs, outreach initiatives and resources designed to build and support a career as a professional service technician at Ford and Lincoln dealerships. New Ford Tech currently offers five programs to choose from, each specialized to meet the needs of students and their current career path.

“Technicians are in high demand and earning certifications to become a Ford Master Technician means you will earn a substantial income and have a dependable career,” Crone adds. “Ford also rewards their technicians as they earn certifications with trips and bonuses and the opportunities are endless as an automotive technician.”

Before entering management, Crone thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of being a technician.

“The challenge of diagnosing a vehicle concern and repairing it gave me a feeling of accomplishment, there was always something new to learn,” Crone said proudly. “I took pride in being a technician.”

Learn more about the YES program here.

All New Ford Tech programs serve as a launching pad for aspiring and current technicians to take their skill sets one step further. Learn more about our programs here.