Need Technicians?

Hire a Service Member through Shifting Gears

The Shifting Gears Automotive Technician Training Program is designed to support service members who will be transitioning from military service into the civilian workforce. The U.S. Army, GM, and VPS (GM’s training partner) collaborated to design and deliver a training program that provides eligible transitioning service members with the necessary skills to become service technicians at GM dealerships.

The program consists of a 12-week customized, on-base technician training curriculum that includes instructor-led technical training, online web-based courses, and hands-on training. Shifting Gears launched in August of 2014 at Fort Cavazos, TX and has graduated over 800 alumni. GM provides the vehicles, VPS developed and delivers the training, and the U.S. Army provides the facility. Service members from all branches of service, to include select veterans, are eligible to attend. Upon successful course completion and program graduation, students can achieve just over 70% of GM’s STS requirements and Silver Certificates in Electrical Academy, Brakes, Chassis, Engine Mechanical, and Engine Performance. Participants also have access to an Engagement Specialist who is embedded in the program and located at Fort Cavazos to help prepare them for their civilian job search and support the regional GM team in connecting them with hiring dealerships.

Alumni from the Shifting Gears Program receive preparation training in Electrical and Brakes prior to taking the ASE exams in those categories. Registration and test fees are both paid for by Workforce Solutions of Central Texas prior to graduation. The alumni are also able to receive a living stipend through the Veteran Administration utilizing their Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits if the dealership that employs them are enrolled as a DOL approved apprenticeship program. The DOL Apprenticeship Program is a great starting point for any entry level technician and is also a great asset to GM dealerships to acquire and retain quality technicians.

When a Shifting Gears alum is hired, the Center of Learning will bill the Dealer’s Open Account in three installments of $2200 each:

1. The first, at Date of Hire.
2. The second, 90 days later.
3. The third, 90 days after that.

Should a Shifting Gears alum separate from the dealership within six months of the Date of Hire (when the hiring Dealer activates the technician in the Center of Learning at www.centerlearning.com), the Dealer is eligible for a full refund of all paid training fees.