TCAT Dual Enrollment Automotive Program Offers Career Possibilities for Bolivar Students
Mike Jones Sr. is the biggest cheerleader of his Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Jackson dual enrollment automotive students at Bolivar Central High School (BCHS). He has taught at BCHS for the past three years, which is when the dual enrollment program started at the school. Since that time, the automotive program has grown tremendously.
“My program is growing by leaps and bounds. We have young ladies excelling as well as the young men. I am proud of these young people and want the world to see that Bolivar Central High School partnering with TCAT Jackson is doing some great things here in Hardeman County,” said Mr. Jones, who continues to be impressed by his students. “A lot of the students have surprised me by catching on so quickly and some actually do work with parents outside of school and some students actually take what they learn home to share with their parents and practice.”
Mr. Jones’ love of working on cars and anything automotive was inspired at an early age by his late father, Vick Jones Sr. The experience with his father is one he cherishes and Mr. Jones wants to share his automotive skills and love of cars with other young people.
“I learned a lot about cars from working with my dad in the yard,” said Mr. Jones, whose automotive interest continued into high school and college. “I took this very class in tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades. I received a scholarship to TCAT and graduated from there in 2002.”
After graduation, Mr. Jones’ worked in the automotive industry at Bolivar Ford, AutoZone, managed O’Reilly Auto Parts, at Keystone Automotive Industries in Jackson, Tennessee, as a service adviser at Golden Circle Tire Pros, as a TCAT dual enrollment instructor at Fayette Ware High School, and three years ago returned home to BCHS to teach. In January, he was recognized by TCAT Jackson for five years of service.
“I have been an employee of TCAT for almost six years and I’m loving my job giving back where I started. This school year, I have 101 students in the ninth through twelfth grades participating in the Automotive class,” said Mr. Jones, who noted the excitement his students share with him about career possibilities in the field. “They hear from different people that being involved with the automotive industry is a good skill to have, to stick with it, and learn all you can. Get your diploma and go on to further your education. Students can work in a dealership or shop. They can work in the part stores or own their own shop.”
TCAT Jackson offers other dual enrollment courses at BCHS.
“We actually have several dual enrollment courses. Advance Manufacturing is taught by Dana Knight, Welding is taught by Justin Avent, and Nursing is taught by Lynleigh Butler and Lindsey Huffman,” said Mr. Jones.
Although he is partial to automotive, he believes students should take advantage of any of the dual options while at BCHS.
“Students should consider taking this class [Automotive] because it is a growing industry and it’s good to know about what you drive daily,” said Mr. Jones, who would love to drive daily the new Corvette. “You can definitely save some money if you know how to fix your own car.”
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