Fast Track Program Tours Reno County Automotive Dept to Inspire Future Workforce

Members of the Fast Track program tour the Reno County Automotive Department. 

For many students, choosing a career path can feel overwhelming. Hutchinson Community College’s Fast Track program is helping make that decision easier by giving students hands-on experience, industry exposure, and real-world workplace expectations before they graduate.

Amy Elwell, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Hutchinson Community College, describes Fast Track as a three-week pre-apprenticeship program designed to help students explore careers and connect with local employers.

“We want students to know what opportunities are available right here in Reno County,” said Elwell. “A lot of young people think they have to leave the area to find a good career. We’re showing them that there are great opportunities close to home.”

Students in the program choose from five career tracks: automotive mechanics, auto collision repair, construction, manufacturing, and healthcare. Participants attend classes Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., earning $10 per hour while gaining valuable skills, college credit, and workplace experience.

“We treat it like a real job,” Elwell said. “Students learn technical skills, but they also learn work ethic, communication, professionalism, and accountability.”

One of the most valuable parts of the program is the opportunity to tour local businesses and organizations. These visits introduce students to careers they may never have considered and often lead to internships or summer employment opportunities.

Recently, Reno County’s Automotive Department welcomed Fast Track students for a behind-the-scenes tour of its facility, giving participants an up-close look at the daily operations that keep county vehicles running. Automotive Director Ron Brubaker guided students through the shop, explaining how his team maintains and repairs vehicles for multiple Reno County departments, from passenger vehicles to specialized fleet equipment. During the tour, students learned about current projects, including the installation of new camera systems in Sheriff’s Office vehicles. 

The Fast Track program tour gave students a firsthand look at public service careers while helping them understand the wide variety of skills needed to support county operations.  These opportunities help bridge the gap between education and employment while strengthening the local workforce pipeline.

The automotive mechanics track, taught by Hutchinson Community College and Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy instructor Jake Dreiling, gives students a condensed look at what is normally a two-year college program.

“During the three weeks, we cover a little bit of everything,” said Dreiling. “Students learn basic maintenance, vehicle inspections, brakes, steering and suspension, drivetrains, and HVAC systems. We’re giving them a 30,000-foot view of the automotive industry.”

The program emphasizes quality workmanship and safety while helping students discover whether a particular career path is the right fit.

“I’d rather they find out now that a career isn’t what they expected,” Elwell said. “That’s the purpose of exploration. It’s much better to learn that before investing years into a career path that isn’t a good fit.”

Fast Track serves a wide range of participants. While many are high school students, some adults also enroll to learn new skills and explore career changes. This year’s program includes participants ranging from teenagers to adults in their 40s.

According to Elwell, word-of-mouth has become one of the program’s strongest recruiting tools.

“Students hear about Fast Track from other students,” she said. “By springtime, they’re asking each other if they’re doing Fast Track this year. That excitement is really rewarding to see.”

Beyond technical training, every participant earns workplace safety training and receives instruction in professional skills that employers value.

“We care more about attendance, attitude, participation, and respect than GPA,” Elwell said. “Some students struggle in a traditional classroom setting, but when they get into a hands-on environment, they thrive.”

For Reno County, partnerships like Fast Track help connect students with meaningful career experiences while building the next generation of skilled workers.

Students interested in learning more about Fast Track can contact Amy Elwell at Hutchinson Community College at 620-727-2792 or [email protected]. Applications are available through the college, and recruitment begins each spring.