Recognizing the benefit to his business and the overall automotive industry as well as current students preparing to enter the industry, John O’Connor, owner of Shade Tree Garage in Morristown, built a partnership with the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) Auto-Diesel program. His personal involvement and commitment to supporting Auto-Diesel students and instructors as well as his business’s welcoming approach to support student learning and give new graduates their career start are crucial for the strength of SCVTHS’ program. Such efforts have earned O’Connor and Shade Tree Garage the district’s 2024 Business Partner of the Year honor.
O’Connor has served on the Advisory Board for the Auto-Diesel program since 2019, providing insights into the auto repair industry. According to Automotive Instructor Philip Eng, “John has helped guide us in terms of automotive trends with regards to hiring, technical training, tools and equipment, and new employee expectations.” He added that O’Connor was “key” in helping with the rigorous evaluation of SCVTHS’ Automotive program conducted by ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), the entity that accredits and certifies the program. “His natural leadership and ability to collaborate with the other team members helped us complete the evaluation with efficiency,” emphasized Eng.
In addition, O’Connor has provided instructors with opportunities for professional development, including sending Eng to the WorldPac Supplier and Tech Expo in Nashville, where he was able to participate in industry training sessions. The knowledge Eng gained was then applied to the classroom through updates to curriculum that will enhance the abilities of SCVTHS students, enabling them to be more competitive when they enter the job market.
O’Connor and his team at Shade Tree Garage continue to support students even after their graduation as mentors. Shade Tree Garage also employs graduates, where the work environment is supportive so students can build on the skills they learned at SCVTHS.
