Carter Myers Automotive Partners with Mentor Mentee to Strengthen Technician Development

Carter Myers Automotive (CMA) is partnering with Mentor Mentee, a platform built to accelerate technician development and increase shop capacity, to further strengthen its technician apprenticeship program.

CMA’s registered apprenticeship program in Virginia has been recognized under U.S. Department of Labor standards since 2023.

The organization is now evolving its approach from a more instinctive, learn-as-you-go model into one with greater structure and consistency to apprentice development. Through its pilot with Mentor Mentee, CMA is adding a layer of accountability and support to apprentices and Service Managers.

“CMA has always taken a very personal approach to technician development. We see the whole person and build a career path around their individual strengths,” said Beth Lucchesi, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Carter Myers Automotive. “As we continue to grow, adding more structure and accountability to the process can help keep our apprentices on a steady path while giving our service managers another level of support.”

The partnership builds on lessons learned by CMA throughout the years, particularly around the importance of the mentor-apprentice relationship.

“One of the biggest things we’ve learned is that the mentor has to want to be a mentor,” Lucchesi said. “Our most experienced technician is not necessarily our best mentor. When that relationship is strong and the pairing is right, it can make a tremendous difference in how quickly an apprentice learns and becomes more independent.”

Mentor Mentee’s platform brings together existing OEM training alongside skill sets apprentices earn competency in based on high-quality hands-on repetitions. The purpose is to create a more steady and methodical path forward for apprentices while keeping Service Managers and CMA’s support team aligned with what is being taught, what is being learned, and where additional support may be needed.

“Carter Myers Automotive already has a strong foundation around apprenticeship, mentoring, and investing in people early in their careers,” said Jen Grimes, CCO at Mentor Mentee. “Our role is to help strengthen that work with added structure, visibility, and support so CMA can accelerate apprentice readiness for a broader set of hands-on work as the organization grows.”

CMA graduated 26 apprentice technicians through its program to date. With Mentor Mentee in place, Lucchesi will have tangible data and examples to speak to prospective students about what they can expect from an apprenticeship at Carter Myers Automotive, what an apprentice’s career path looks like, and how it helps increase their success in the shop.

“We want to be able to show someone where they are starting, where they are going, what they are going to learn, when they may be ready to move to flat rate, and what support they will have along the way,” Lucchesi said. “The more specific we can be about that path, the better we can help young people and their families understand the opportunity that exists in this industry.”

The partnership between CMA and Mentor Mentee reflects a shared commitment to putting people first. Together, both organizations aim to help change the perception of careers in the automotive industry by fostering a culture that helps people realize their potential and improve their quality of life.