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Mechanics Of Success

Jason Behnken / sta

Jim Murphy, left, and Shannon Bruffett work on an old MG Midget that is being made into a coffetable during an auto collsion course at Hillsborough Community College's new garage location along Columbus Drive.

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

Updated: 02/21/2008 05:55 pm

ORIENT PARK - About seven years ago, Hillsborough Community College's Jack Evans repeatedly heard from auto collision shops that there was a great need for technicians.

"Garages weren't attracting youths, and the turnover was terrific," said Evans, dean of associate of science and technology programs.

Evans thought HCC could fill that need because the Ybor City campus prides itself on offering the practical. So he found a small body shop on Fifth Avenue, a few streets from the campus, and hired John Vueno, who has academic experience and hands-on expertise.

And the class was off and, well, repairing.

Now the tiny garage days are over. Last month, the program moved to a 22-acre compound near Columbus Drive and 56th Street. Here, students will have expanded opportunities because Evans plans to begin a mechanic class. He's also having a 17,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse remodeled for a state-of-the-art facility to teach all aspects of collision work, such as refinishing and fiberglass repair.

"This isn't a smooth-out-a-few-dents program," Evans said during a recent tour of the $5 million property. The minicampus also will become home this spring to some of HCC's public safety classes for law enforcement and fire departments.

For the collision course, students study for three semesters and then serve a six-month internship, completing 1,400 clock hours.

"There was a time when we shied away from apprenticeship programs," said Judd Middlebrook, body shop manager for Jerry Ulm Dodge. "But then we had a big lack of people. I have to say the HCC students come here very well-prepared."

Middlebrook said he hired three HCC graduates to entry-level jobs.

More than 100 technicians have landed similar jobs right out of the HCC program, Vueno said. He said 25 students are accepted to the program each year and about 18 graduate.

Vueno, who holds a degree from Daytona Beach Community College, where he taught auto collision work from 1982 to 2000, said he can do every aspect of the job he teaches. From repairing a heavy-hit wrecked vehicle to frame welding, he expects his students eventually to be as qualified.

The beginning salary is about $30,000 to $40,000 and can climb to $80,000 to $90,000 in a few years.

HCC accepts vehicles in need of repair that are less than 10 years old and haven't been painted or repaired. The repair program doesn't charge for labor.

"We have a waiting list," Vueno said.

Evans said owners may not have their vehicles back for months.

"Leaving your car here means the program's needs are put first," he said.

Vueno said the program helps students gain self-confidence.

"They'll learn to tackle anything," he said. "If they can paint a car, why not a house?"

Wesley Sparks, 21, is welding a decorative archway for a door for a class project where students can work on something different. He said the program is "so far, so good. It's lots of hands-on."

Shannon Bruffett, 36, said he was walking around Ybor City when he saw the HCC garage. He called and signed up and hopes the program leads to a steady career.

"I'm giving it my all," he said as he worked on a rusted MG sports car that will become the base of a conference table.

"Most of these students are the types who wouldn't miss a day of school," Evans said.

For information, contact Evans at (813) 253-7604 or (813) 253-7572 or e-mail jevans @HCCfl.edu.

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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