Watch this video for an inside peek at the 2017 DGDG Career Night.
The Del Grande Dealer Group (DGDG) is one of the largest car dealers in the Bay Area, with 15 dealerships across the region. The company has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Bay Area’s ATRE program dating back to 2014 when they worked with Pam Gutman, Bay Area CETI Deputy Sector Navigator on an Energy Efficiency project. When that project ended, Gutman saw a prime opportunity to build upon this relationship, and introduced the idea of automotive internships with Evergreen Valley College (EVC).Evergreen Valley College auto faculty and DGDG management, including Service Managers, worked together to structure the automotive internship program and its preparatory activities which included work preparedness courses presented by DGDG specifically for EVC auto students. Following a College Night at DGDG Corporate Headquarters for students and their parents, DGDG interviewed and hired the first student interns for the 2016 Summer Internship Program.
The internship program covers all aspects of dealer automotive service from oil changes to tire rotations and inspections. Students were assigned to shadow a different DGDG team member each week and also received a $750 scholarship and tools valued at $5,000 during the eight-week internship program.
Building Relationships is Key to Hiring
The internship program allows DGDG to develop relationships with the students. As a recruiting model, DGDG has stated that instead of ‘poaching’ from other auto dealers and manufacturers, DGDG prefers to develop its own ‘home grown talent’ and offer continuing education and lifelong career opportunities. Working hands-on with the students also gives management a better sense of who the students are and if they fit into the DGDG culture.
Expanding to More Colleges for 2017 Program
After a successful pilot program, Gutman and DGDG worked together to broaden the program to include more colleges. In the spring of 2017, the company visited De Anza College, Chabot College and EVC auto classes with its famous taco truck, conducted work preparedness classes and held the Second Annual College Night at its headquarters to promote the 2017 Summer Internship program. More than 60 parents and students came to the event which included dinner for all, after which DGDG received 25 internship applications and extended nine offers.
Internships Lead to Jobs with DGDG
Thus far, DGDG has hired 16 students from Evergreen Valley and De Anza for part-time or full-time positions and has honored its commitment to only hire students for full-time positions after their graduation. Additional hires are expected as students complete their degree programs.
DGDG is always looking for ways to improve the internship experience for students and looks to interns to provide feedback to make their time at the company more valuable.
“In addition to reporting to a specific service manager, the students were also given full access to DGDG management so they could provide weekly feedback on their internship experiences,” said Gutman.
Based on that feedback, modifications were made to the program to ensure that the interns received the same work experience, despite the fact they were working in different dealerships for different Service Managers.
DGDG is already looking forward to having interns again next summer and will expand its college partnerships and internships to include Solano College.
