Midland College graduate Carlos Najera completes apprenticeship programMarch 01, 2023

Midland College Collision Repair program and Caliber Collision are partnering to develop the next generation of collision repair technicians. On February 16, 2023, former Midland College Automotive Collision Repair graduate Carlos Najera completed Caliber’s Technician Apprentice Program (TAP).

The Caliber TAP program is 10 to 12 months of hands-on paid collision repair training. Apprentices are teamed with an experienced technician, and under the guidance of a training instructor, they work in a collaborative, supportive environment with a strong team-focused culture. They learn the latest in automotive technology advancements, such as Advance Driver-Assistance Systems (collision avoidance or traffic sensors) in a safe and engaging work environment using state-of-the-art equipment and quality materials.

“Midland College gave me the foundation I needed to be successful in the TAP program,” Najera said.  “Mr. [Rey] Salgado taught me which tools to use in each step of the repair process so that the vehicle can be repaired back to factory standards. Working on cars is what I love to do, and now I can follow my dream of doing this for a living.”

“Programs such as the TAP program help to not only develop the technical skills of the apprentice, but also develop the confidence needed to be successful in an ever-changing industry,” Rey Salgado, Midland College Automotive Collision Repair instructor, said. “We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners such as Caliber Collision that are willing to invest time, money and energy in our graduates.”

“Carlos was way ahead of other apprentices because of his training at Midland College,” Ray Mendoza, Caliber Collision training instructor, said.  “We hope to continue this relationship for a long time.” 

Najera was one of three students that completed the first TAP program at Caliber Collision in Odessa.  He has now been promoted to entry-level body technician. Currently, former Midland College/MISD dual credit student Albert Miranda is in his 3rd month of the TAP program and will complete the TAP program later this year.

Photo: From left to right:  Marcus Diaz, Caliber Collision service manager; Rey Salgado, Midland College Auto Collision Repair instructor; Carlos Najera, Midland College Collision Repair graduate; and  Roy Mendoza, Caliber Collision trainer