Bill Colwell Ford is proud to recognize Devin Schafer for completing the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) program through Des Moines Area Community College. Devin has been working in our Ford Service Department since 2018, first as a Ford ASSET Student Technician, and now as an automotive technician.
The ASSET program includes both classroom work and a paid internship with a sponsoring Ford dealer over a two-year period. By the end of the program, students earn an Associate’s degree along with valuable experience working in a dealer technician setting. Devin learned basic maintenance on vehicles first, then moved on to electronics, engines, transmission, HVAC, steering and suspension, noise and vibration, and diesel.
Devin said, “I first joined Ford ASSET because I knew nothing about cars. But I knew I liked working with my hands and couldn’t bear working an office job. I also figured it would help me get certifications that would otherwise take many years to obtain.”
LaVerne Trade, Service & Parts Director, said of the program, “It’s a huge benefit to our dealership to have Ford ASSET students both for Ford-specific training and for certification. I’m still looking for more candidates to sponsor in the future to keep our pipeline of qualified technicians moving.”
Devin is now enjoying putting all his school work to good use. He added, “I like that I can use what I learned in school in what I do on a daily basis. It makes me feel accomplished to see where I started with not knowing anything, but now I can do a lot of stuff I wouldn’t ever have believed I could do.”
Bill Colwell Ford would like to congratulate Devin Schafer for his achievement and hard work, and we’re honored to have him as part of the team. Congratulations, Devin!
Pictured left to right: LaVerne Tradel, Service & Parts Director; Devin Schafer, Automotive Technician; and Blake Colwell, General Manager