Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Del Castillo.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Fast Lane Automotive Training was started in March of 2009 because we found that a major portion of the unemployed, underemployed, and high-risk youth that want to learn a career in automotive technology was not being serviced by the traditional education system.
Our mission is to provide a unique and customized training experience for each student based on their work and family needs, their level of education, and their financial position. We empower students by breaking the barriers put up by traditional educational systems and provide real world on the job training in a hands-on environment where students learn while they work.
Fast Lane has impacted the lives of over 400 men and women who have trained here since its inception.
A few have even opened up their own businesses and have hired our graduates. Fast Lane has given students an opportunity to bring out those skills and make them very marketable in the automotive field where skilled labor is hard to find.
Employers have also seen the benefit from this type of training by watching the students demonstrate their problem solving and critical thinking abilities.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest challenge was starting up. I took a big gamble in using all of my savings, retirement, and credit cards to start up the school. In the end, it has paid off. Recently another challenge came up where-due to circumstances beyond our control-we had to move the shop. Fortunately, we located a facility that was more accessible to the community that needs these services. Unfortunately, we have had several financial challenges in moving the equipment and preparing the new space infrastructure.
We have had past and present students help in the move both financially and in volunteering their labor. They can’t wait to get back to school and we can’t wait to continue serving the community and the people that really need these services.
Completing the building infrastructure and starting classes by August 28th is the goal.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Fast Lane Automotive Training – what should we know?
We train people how to diagnose and repair automobiles. Unlike traditional schools where competency is measured in grades, tests, math and reading competencies and what you can accomplish in a certain amount of time in the classroom, we focus on the hands-on aspect of training using an open entry/open exit model where a student actually works on a car from day one. The theory is integrated with the project each student is currently working on. It’s a job simulated work environment and the student only passes when they can diagnose and repair a vehicle on their own. Just like a job, the more you practice in real life situations, the better you get.
What sets us apart is our mission: to help others learn a skill that makes them employable. We have also recently catered to men and women who just want to understand how certain systems work in a car so they can clearly get what a mechanic is telling them about their car when it needs repair.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I give all the credit to the students that have volunteered their time to help other students going through the program. It really reinforces everything they have learned when they can train a new student.
Pricing:
- $500 per month, unlimited hours of training.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4235 W. Division St.,
Chicago, IL 60651 - Website: www.traininthefastlane.com
- Phone: 773-525-0123
- Email: fastlane-training@att.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Fastlanemechanictraining
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/entrenalabuena?lang=en
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