SolTrans provides hands on experience at its maintenance yard

After SolTrans and National Express Transit launched their first maintenance internship program in January, four interns have made it into the program.

Juan Eddie Ortega, Demadjeo Simon, Francis Nanalis and Tim Mates have made it into the two-year paid internship, which was created by National Express Maintenance Manager Anthony Alves to give hands-on experience in a fully functioning maintenance garage to students pursuing a career in automotive technology.

He saw an opportunity to utilize the students enrolled in the Automotive Technician Program at Solano Community College (SCC) and the need for recently certified mechanics to replace those retiring. Each of the interns selected were required to have completed a maintenance-related course at SCC within the past two years and hold a valid driver’s license. SolTrans says Alves decided on the finalists for the internship by looking for one final thing: the hunger to learn.

SolTrans has a diverse fleet of buses that provide local service in the cities of Benicia and Vallejo, SolanoExpress buses that provide connections to Bay Area Rapid Transit and Amtrak, and paratransit buses for individuals with disabilities. The more diverse the service needs, the more knowledge and skills are needed to support the various types of vehicles that provide the service. The bus fleet itself is diverse because it is comprised of vehicles from different manufacturers and uses different fuel sources such as diesel, diesel-hybrid, all-electric and compressed natural gas.

“Whatever problem comes our way, we fix it,” said Alves.

Those interested in applying for the Automotive Technician program at SCC can head over to their site to apply for admission.