Full Circle is an employer driven, paid internship, social enterprise program designed to provide auto mechanic training to individuals with multiple barriers to employment including many who have recently been released from prison.
A 2018 Bureau of Justice study found out of 401,288 individuals released from prison in 30 states, more than 83% were re-arrested an average of six times during the study period. That rate in Maryland is roughly 40%, at an average cost of $46,000 per person annually according to The Baltimore Sun. In Michigan, the average incarceration cost per individual is $36,106 as of 2017. And as reported by Detroit Free Press, prison
population costs continue to rise.
Launched in 2015, the Full Circle training program has seen unprecedented success:
For many men and women, reentry is a time of anxiety. Who will give me a second chance? How can I gain meaningful employment? Full Circle Auto Repair & Training Center trains returning citizens to become skilled auto mechanics and ensures reentry is a time of SUCCESS, empowerment and support.
Our interns receive Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) classroom training as well as hands-on training under the supervision of certified master mechanics. At the completion of their internship, 100% of our program graduates are immediately hired within the automotive industry.
Our graduates have gone on to work as auto technicians and diesel mechanics in dealerships, national chains and independent auto repair shops. In addition, some of our interns pursue careers in service and sales. We have also entered a partnership with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). This partnership will enable interns to test and qualify to work on the MTA’s fleet of buses.
At Full Circle, we understand the importance of on-boarding and choosing “the right person for the job.” We want interns to be passionate about their work – all applicants are interviewed to ensure our program is the right fit for their career goals. We also believe having a support system is critical to success; each intern is paired with a mentor to guide them every step of the way. This process begins during incarceration; interns receive an hourly stipend while receiving high-quality training to set each individual up for success during reentry. By following these steps, our program has eliminated recidivism and restored futures.
Wayne T. Farrar – Master Automobile Technician & Maryland State Certified Inspector
– Areas of Demonstrated Achievement
WANT TO JOIN THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
If you’re interested in applying for our automotive internship program, please fill out the form that most accurately represents you.
Students: https://www.fullcircleautotraining.org/students
Employers: https://www.fullcircleautotraining.org/employers
Find out about Vehicles for Change’s auto repair shop, Full Circle Auto Repair & Training Center.
Changing Lives with Donated Cars
VFC is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Tax ID: 54-1933692
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