Fresno City College's 'Nearly Certified' program – a game changer or just hype?

Just saw this article. Honestly, it sounds promising. We need more techs bad. My buddy owns a shop and he's been turning away work for months. If this program actually gets people productive faster, I'm all for it.

I'm skeptical. 'Nearly certified' doesn't mean they know their stuff. I've seen too many 'fast-track' techs that can't diag a simple no-start. Hands-on experience is irreplaceable. But hey, if they pair it with a good mentorship, maybe it works.

I think it's a step in the right direction. The shortage is real, and traditional programs take too long for many people. If they can get basic skills down fast and then learn on the job, that's better than nothing. Plus, it might get more young people interested.

I went through a similar program years ago. It gave me a solid foundation, but I learned way more in my first year on the job. The key is having a good shop that's willing to teach. If Fresno City College partners with local shops, this could be huge.