By Calina He
With the COVID-19 pandemic canceling many 2020 internships or forcing them online, Jiffy Lube Indiana is offering an opportunity for hands-on learning for high school students this summer.
Each of the 50 Jiffy Lube service centers in Indiana — including five in Carmel — has a position for a high school intern to learn skills related to the trade and potentially help fill the void of skilled technicians in the future.
“We’re facing a shortage of skilled technicians in our business. People are focused on college and a lot of things that aren’t focused on skilled trades,” said Lonnie Hinkle, chief operating officer of Jiffy Lube Indiana. “We thought, ‘What can we do to draw more interest in the field of auto mechanics to help raise the next generation of technicians?’”
As of June 15, 11 of the internship positions in Indiana had been filled. Interns are selected after completing an application process and typically work 25 to 35 hours per week.
“We have this geared toward 16 and 17-year-olds,” Hinke said.
Steve Sanner, the president of Jiffy Lube Indiana, said there are training modules that interns must complete.
“While the interns get extra attention, they are all expected to complete the same computer-based and hands-on training modules that our current team members must complete,” Sanner said. “The Jiffy Lube training program even provides college credit for those looking to get an associates or bachelor’s degree.”
Sanner said the internship program is based on Jiffy Lube’s Growing People Through Work Initiative.
“We are hoping that creating a formal internship program will provide structure for high school students to join our team, gain exposure to the nuances of our business model and decide if this is a potential career choice,” Sanner said. “We are growing our footprint and adding new workers every year, and we believe this program will help us to identify talented young Hoosiers looking to grow with us.”
