Maaco Mentor program launched

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Release date: April 30, 2007  /  Print This

A pilot Maaco apprenticeship program could lead to center management and even ownership for Philadelphia automotive repair students. The plan calls for expansion to other markets in 2008.

National Fleet Director Patrick Donohue presented the program to an enthusiastic group of West Philadelphia High School juniors. Ten were later accepted to form two groups spending a week learning paint line skills in at Maaco’s King of Prussia headquarters this month. Five will go on to work at a center over the summer, then continue in a work-study program during senior year. The mentoring program will help them move up, over several years, to painter’s assistant, painter, production manager and manager.

“Jobs are just the start,” Donohue told the students. “Nothing would make me happier than if 10 years from today one of you was a Maaco franchisee.”

He stressed three attributes of successful people:

 They love what they are doing.

 They have vision and set out every day to achieve their goals.

 They have the conviction needed to overcome naysayers.

The National Career Academy Coalition, a network of high school career academies, is cooperating in the mentoring program.