William Bush is the automotive instructor at SCI Mercer. His class can accommodate a total of 16 students at a time, with eight in the morning session and eight in the afternoon session. His students are able to earn a certificate of completion by putting in 300 hours of time in the class and lab. Students that finish the class with a 70 percent or higher and possess a valid driver's license are able to take the PA State Inspection class. Bush said that roughly 50 percent of the students end up being able to obtain the PA State Inspection License due to numerous inmates not having a valid driver's license.
Bush teaches many skills to the students that range from shop safety to the lift points on cars and trucks. The students also get taught about automotive measurements with the proper tools, how to use service manuals and how to complete fluid service. Bush also teaches his students about the cooling system of a vehicle, the electrical system and the starting and charging systems. As if that wasn't enough, Bush will go on and show them about repairing and diagnosing the brake system, suspension system and steering, and he also teaches them about tires and front-end alignments. Bush believes that the number one thing that his students learn is safety in the shop. He also said that being responsible is another valuable lesson that they learn, since coming to class on time is comparable to going to work on time.
The automotive classroom at Mercer has recently added a welding simulator, which has been an exceptional teaching tool for the automotive class. The welding simulator teaches the students the basics of welding. Students learn that having welding skills when working in an automotive shop is very beneficial to their job. Students are able to simulate welding through a state-of-the-art program. By completing this program, they will have the basic skills needed to weld frames and make exhaust repairs. When welding, you must have personal protective equipment and know the safety procedures involved. The students enjoy using the welder. They like new challenges and quickly realize that they can do very well on the simulator. The welding simulator is just a starting point in welding, but the skills they learn on the simulator will transfer to being able to use a stick or metal inert gas (MIG) welder with very little training in a garage, once they leave Mercer.
Overall, Bush is enjoying how the class is going so far.
"It's pretty good, I get guys that want to learn and look for jobs in the automotive industry," he said.