A sacrifice but the right move anyway

My friend Juan whom I’ve known since our young days at the old village has been taking courses in auto-mechanic at the Northern Marianas College. For many years as a mechanic assistant, he’d be contented with job orders handed him by the foreman.

He’d do lubrication job and routine safety checks, one car after another, until one day a huge equipment was rolled into the middle of the shop. Initially, he thought it’s a new set of tools for all the boys. However, it’s a computerized device to examine functions of auto-engines.

The factory instructor started explaining the wonders of the new equipment. His discussion started quickly without researching how many of the mechanics in the shop have actually taken basic courses in the field. He started yakking away taking for granted that auto-lingo is understood by everybody.

Juan listened intently struggling to understand the instructions. He couldn’t translate it into terms he’s used to and chuckles along with others who were equally confused as the needle shifts up and down on the new equipment. Obviously, he couldn’t ask the right questions and neither did majority of his co-workers.

He went home that evening troubled by the introduction of new technology on the job. The only thing he could remember was the strange ring from the equipment as the needle moves left and right when the sensor is placed on different areas on the engine. He was further confused when the instructor printed the result of his findings (in graph form) on computer paper.

My buddy is about two years my senior but he wasn’t about to let complacency and lack of skills work him out of a job. He enrolled in various auto-mechanic courses at NMC to upgrade his technical skills. As he took these courses, he also enrolled in basic English and Math and other relevant electives as per advice of a counselor. It was a hard shift from work he’s taken for granted versus all the changes in technology that comes with the territory.

Said he: “A lot has changed in this job from the traditional method of basic auto-repair. Going home after work with grease all over your shop clothes doesn’t make you a mechanic. I was really troubled when that new equipment came in. I decided that this is it…take up courses to learn and polish my skills or I’m history”.
He related how his profession has changed over the years from basic to the industrial level. “In a few years, I should be able to master the latest technology in this profession and even with that I still want to get into a ‘continuing education program’ to consistently upgrade my skills as I move on,” he said, adding, “it’s the only way to stay ahead of so many changes”.

I also quizzed my friend why take up basic English and Math. Said he: “It’s important that one is capable of writing basic memo on specific shop needs especially as you move into the management level. It would help me explain, i.e., factory defects on an engine, specifically, details that zeroes-in on such defect. It’s good for the auto-factory, consumer and my profession as well. Learning the basics is a must for it’s the only way to move up the ladder”.

Juan demonstrated the use of the new equipment and explained what the needle movement signifies. For greater details on what may be wrong with an engine, he printed a copy in graph form to review it more thoroughly. The equipment that once haunted him is now a piece of cake which enables him to diagnoze engines quickly, order the necessary repair with efficiency, test run it before releasing the automobile to the owner. I was rather impressed!