For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: April 30, 2018
Excitement for auto body collaboration
Platteville -A group of Platteville High School students was recently given the opportunity to explore the field of auto collision refinishing, thanks to a collaboration between Southwest Tech, Averkamp Auto Body in Platteville, Wisconsin, and Platteville High School. The students spent a week learning from Ed Averkamp, owner of Averkamp Auto Body, which culminated in an active educational visit to his business on April 27.
Nearly two years ago, Averkamp, who serves on the Southwest Tech Auto Body Advisory Committee, spoke with Greg Wubben, auto collision instructor at Southwest Tech, about sparking interest for the industry in the younger generation. That resulted with the duo contacting Platteville High School and bringing Chuck Smet, technology and engineering teacher, and students on board. The first group of students in the energy, power and transportation class took part in the experience during the fall semester.
Averkamp purchased the sheet metal, which provides good practice simulation for the students. The safety gear and paint were donated. Averkamp built the stand for the hood. “I make them assemble the front end, get all the gaps to fit, and make sure everything is adjusted correctly,” he said. “I proceed to make dents in the hood right in front of them and then they work on pulling the dents out of the hood. They work on a little hand and dolly work with straightening, a little bit of filler work, and then prep the panels for paint. At that point I bring the front clip over to my shop and then they get to come here on a field trip and paint it.”
All of this was accomplished within one week. “The reaction from the students has been really positive,” said Smet. “Last semester, one of the students is now working here, part-time a couple hours a week for Averkamp Auto Body. I’ve had some other students who have expressed interest in the programs at Southwest Tech, the auto collision program and other transportation-related occupations.”
After adding their autographs to the green hood, it was dried and will be hung on Smet’s classroom wall, near last semester’s piece.