DART and Dallas ISD are partnering for a bus maintenance career program
Students will get supervised, hands-on mentoring from professional bus mechanics during the school year in a new externship program.
by Charles Nichelson · 5 NBCDFWDallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is providing Dallas ISD students with hands-on experience with mentoring from professional bus maintenance mechanics.
The "High School Student Bus Maintenance Externship Program" will be part of the district's automotive technician program of study.
DART and Dallas ISD want to offer supervised educational exposure and related technical career pathways. Students will work with pros during the school year to gain "real-world, industry-level training," according to DART.
“DART recognizes just how important it is to support education in the region and to cultivate the next generation of diesel maintenance mechanics. Our expansive fleet of vehicles and professional mechanics are available for Dallas ISD students to expand their experience,” said Trenise Winters, DART Chief Operations Officer. “Through this collaboration, we aim to help our Dallas ISD partners prepare students while addressing the current diesel maintenance mechanic workforce shortage in our industry.”
Students will learn about inspections, engine fundamentals, and system maintenance.
"Our students grow the most when they’re in the real world solving real problems," said Oswaldo Alvarenga, Dallas ISD Deputy Chief of Strategic Initiatives. "For us, partnering with DART is a meaningful way to support the next generation of skilled technicians while creating immediate, hands-on impact for our students in high-demand career pathways."