Summer may feel like a quiet season when it comes to school partnerships, but it’s actually the perfect time to plan ahead. While students and educators take a well-earned break, your shop can use this opportunity to get organized and set the stage for a strong start in the fall. Building and maintaining relationships with local schools isn’t just a seasonal effort—it’s something that pays off year-round. Whether you’re hoping to attract future technicians, support tech programs, or strengthen your community presence, now is the time to get ready.
In this article, we’ll walk through a practical summer checklist to help your shop stay ahead and be fully prepared to support local schools when the new academic year begins.
Reflect on the Past Year
Before diving into new plans, take a moment to look back. Supporting local schools isn’t just about making a hire—it’s about building long-term relationships and having a consistent, visible presence in your community. That means being involved with more than one school and staying engaged throughout the year.
Gather feedback from everyone who played a role—mentors, interns, techs, and office staff—and ask:
- Do we have ongoing relationships with multiple schools in our area?
- Were we in touch with all of them over the past year?
- Did we stay active on platforms like School Assist and fulfill requests from instructors?
- Did students get a clear and positive impression of our shop?
- Did we show up at events, offer job shadows, or provide support when schools needed it?
- Did we track all our support efforts in School Assist to qualify for All-Star Awards?
This reflection will serve as the foundation for smarter, more strategic planning this summer.
Determine How You Can Support Aspiring Technicians
Once you’ve reflected on the past year, it’s time to map out how your shop can make a meaningful impact on aspiring technicians this coming school year. Supporting students doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be consistent and intentional.
Start by identifying the resources, opportunities, or experiences your shop can offer:
- Can you provide job shadowing or internship opportunities?
- Are your technicians willing to visit classrooms or speak on career panels?
- Do you have equipment, tools, or shop tours that could help students better understand what a real-world environment looks like?
Remember, support can take many forms:
- Offer hands-on learning experiences like shop visits or tool demos.
- Get involved in advisory committees to help shape local tech programs.
- Mentor students or invite them to industry events your shop is attending.
- Be responsive on School Assist by fulfilling requests and sharing updates.
Every shop is different—focus on what’s realistic and sustainable for your team. The key is to show up in ways that help students see a future in this industry and feel supported as they work toward their goals. Even small efforts can make a big difference when done consistently.
Update Your Careers Page & Recruiting Materials
If a student—or their instructor—visited your website today, would they know your shop is a place where students are welcome to learn and grow?
Make sure your website and recruiting materials clearly reflect your commitment to supporting students. Highlight any opportunities you offer, such as entry-level positions, internships, job shadows, or mentorship programs. These should be listed right alongside your full-time job openings. Even if you don’t have an official internship or mentorship program, you can still include that you’re willing to meet with and advise students and/or offer a shop tour.
Take these efforts a step further by showcasing real student experiences. Add testimonials, photos, or short videos featuring interns or students who have spent time in your shop. Hearing directly from their peers can make your shop feel more approachable and authentic to other students considering the industry.
A well-crafted careers page not only helps attract future talent—it also shows schools and instructors that your shop is serious about workforce development. Don’t let this valuable recruiting tool go overlooked during the summer planning season.
Reach Out to Instructors (Yes, Even in Summer)
Summer might be a break for students, but many instructors are still checking their email and thinking ahead to the next semester—making it a great time to reach out and start planning. Even if they don’t respond right away, don’t take it personally. They’ve earned their break. If you don’t hear back, make a note to follow up during the first week of school when things are back in motion.
If you do connect over summer break, keep it casual and collaborative. Invite an instructor out for lunch or coffee, and use that time to ask how your shop can best support their program in the upcoming semester. Come prepared with your own ideas—whether that’s offering shop tours, guest speaking, donating supplies, or hosting a training.
Bringing a little something along, like shop swag or a printed list of internship and job shadow opportunities, adds a thoughtful touch and helps keep your shop top of mind.
Most importantly, leave the conversation with clear next steps and a timeframe for following up. Laying the groundwork now sets the stage for smoother collaboration once school is back in session.
Create a Fall Opportunities Calendar
A strong plan now means fewer missed opportunities later. Start by creating a Fall Opportunities Calendar that maps out key events and school outreach efforts your shop can commit to. This ensures your team stays organized and involved once the busy season hits.
First, designate a school partnership champion—someone on your team who will take the lead on coordinating with schools and making sure your shop follows through. Without a point person, these efforts can easily get pushed aside.
Next, identify upcoming opportunities in your area. Look for:
- Open houses
- Career days and job fairs
- Advisory committee meetings
- In-shop training opportunities (Invite instructors and students to join!)
Don’t forget to schedule at least one or two check-ins with each instructor you’re working with during the fall semester. These touchpoints help maintain relationships and keep communication flowing throughout the school year.
By mapping out these plans now, your shop will be ready to hit the ground running in the fall—and schools will know they can count on you as a consistent, reliable partner.
Set the Stage for a Successful School Year
Summer is the perfect time to prepare, plan, and strengthen your school partnerships. Even small efforts now—like identifying how you can support schools, reaching out to instructors, or mapping out key events—can lead to a big impact once the school year kicks off. Take the time to get organized, stay proactive, and set your shop up to be a valuable resource for aspiring technicians this fall.
