Mills Automotive serves free hot popcorn to students at the CLC Career Day.

It’s a success story told by the numbers.

In 2008, it was born with some 750 students from just six area school districts. 57 businesses, organizations, and exhibitors came to Central Lakes College in Brainerd. 

Fast-forward to 2016 and the Bridges Career Exploration Day (video - click here) on Friday, March 4 will draw about 2,500 high school students from 24 local-area school districts. The 9^th annual event runs 9 am to 12:30 pm, and showcases more than 200 regional high-demand careers with fun hands-on demos, simulators, and break-out sessions.

It’s an all-out effort to connect students with different companies to learn about careers, work environments, skills, and training they’ll need to become employed.  

An estimated 80 percent of students attending last year have said the event helped them with a career path, and they learned about work opportunities and educational programs, according to Bridges. Locally, Bridges has reported that 80% of the jobs require some post-secondary training and 20% require a four-year degree.

Mills Automotive Group is among 300 businesses, non-profits, and educational organizations that support the event. The BodyWorks Super Collision Center has hands-on stations where technicians help students pull a dent out of a fender, use an electronic stud gun, and do some welding. Mills Ford Service and Mills GM Service also attract students with display vehicles. Stereo systems and hands-on tire rotation have been big draws.  

The CLC Career Day has “hands-on” stations for students. Here, a student tightens lug nuts on a tire at a Mills Automotive station. 

“Students are very excited to see all the latest automotive technology,” said Brent Mackcow, service manager at Mills GM, who has participated in several Career Day events. “They are also excited about the vehicles we bring to show what we do in the service department,” Mackcow said. “A lot of them have grown up watching their family work on cars. They ask about horsepower and how our scanning tools work.”

Mills is also a popular stop for hot popcorn made there and served free to the students.

Sid Osterman, general manager of The BodyWorks, speaks highly about Career Day. “It’s a fun day and I enjoy the students, teachers and CLC staff,” he said. “It’s a great way for us to let everyone know we care about the community, and we can tell them about our employment needs, too. I have hired people from the event who have said they remembered us being there.” Osterman said there is a big effort in Minnesota to encourage high school students to consider the trades as a career choice. Lee Mellin, human resources supervisor at Mills Automotive, said, “We are constantly growing and looking to add great team members."

The Mills Automotive web site, www.millsauto.com , is where open positions are listed with detailed job descriptions. Click “Careers” to browse openings and to complete an application.    

Only on-line applications are accepted.  Applicants are encouraged to explore the rest of the web site to learn more about the Mills Automotive Group, including “About Us” and “Why Join Our Team,” that feature employee testimonials and Mills history. “Show Us Your Skills,” asks applicants how they would use technology and social media to help a customer learn more about cars. Applicants can make a quick video of themselves, upload it to YouTube and post the link with their contact information.

In marketing and social media on employee recruitment, Mills says: “You, a family member, friend or neighbor, could be someone we are looking for!”

There are openings in human resources, service, maintenance, sales, finance, service management, detail, marketing, service porter, truck shop technician, lube tech, service technician, receptionist, parts inventory, customer care center, paint tech, vehicle photography, videography, custodial, and parts warehouse.      

Mills Automotive Group employs about 400 people at its locations. This includes Mills Ford, Mills GM, Mills Honda, The BodyWorks, Mills Truck Service Center and Mills Auto Xtreme (MAX) all in Brainerd/Baxter, plus Mills Ford Chrysler, Mills Auto Center and Mills Parts Center in Willmar.    

“We’re looking for service technicians who want to earn great wages and benefits, and have a lot of fun,” Mackow added. “You can get a job anywhere, but you can build a career at Mills.” More than 50 percent of the Mills Automotive workforce have been with the company five or more years. “Fun” is one of six Mills Core Values. The others are Honesty, Integrity, Urgency, Responsibility, Accountability, Personal and Corporate Growth, and Teamwork.

Mills employees having fun…..it’s a core value at Mills Automotive