Amid a mechanic shortage, one Nashville high school is training students for the automotive repair field

Nearly a dozen students at Maplewood High School in Nashville were recognized for their performance in an automotive training program last Thursday. The program prepares kids for careers in the auto industry, which has a nationwide technician shortage.

“We absolutely love the Maplewood High School graduates,” says Marko Ibrahim, the president of Bridgestone’s retail operations. Bridgestone sponsors the program. “They have a leg up on someone that’s coming to us with no experience.”

Since 2015, Bridgestone has worked with Maplewood to graduate more than 130 students from its training program. Dozens of them have also been hired as teammates in local Firestone Complete Auto Care stores.

More: How One Nashville High School Program Is Working To Draw More Women Into The Auto Repair Field

Maplewood junior Elizabeth Castillo, who’s one of the top students in the program, says she got involved because of the love she developed for the auto world after going to car shows with her dad in Los Angeles.

“It was a scene where you could feel free,” she says. “Like, you’ll smell gas and burnt tires, but you’re still surrounded by many people that had the same interest as you.”

Those childhood memories, says Castillo, is part of why she took a liking to the Maplewood program. It’s taught her how to rotate tires, give oil changes and replace brakes.

“Most of my uncles work as mechanics,” she says. “So I’ve always looked up to them.”

Castillo hopes to join the ranks and combine her passion for art and cars into a service where customers can get auto body repairs, airbrush details and other customizations.

Nathan Morgan for Bridgestone Courtesy Finn Partners

Students from Maplewood High School’s Automotive Training Center were at Bridgestone’s downtown Nashville HQ for an awards ceremony with friends and family on Thursday May 5, 20322.

Claudio Vargas, who’s also a junior at Maplewood, joined the program after hearing about it from his brother. He now wants to work for Bridgestone after he graduates from high school, then go into business for himself. 

“I’m planning on having my own shop close to wherever my house is, just to fix cars for people in the area,” says Vargas, “and do it for a good price and not overpriced like a lot of auto technicians.”

Meanwhile, Maplewood sophomore James Rigby wants to attend Lincoln College of Technology, after getting his diploma. He also wants to open up his own shop.

“That’s what I’m hoping to have,” says Rigby: “Be the biggest name in Nashville for diesels.”