Chariot Automotive Employee Advances Career Through Education Program
Typically a numbers-oriented thinker, Chariot Automotive Parts Manager William Myers went to Taylor University for physics and math. After learning that teaching wasn’t his passion, he found himself in a position where he needed a new job but wasn’t sure what direction to go. Through what Myers calls God’s guidance, he found an opportunity at Chariot Automotive and then the Chariot Automotive Institute — where he was able to work toward earning college credits to further his automotive career at a pace that fit his work and personal life, at no cost to him.
A company that values lifelong learning, Chariot Automotive Group developed the Chariot Automotive Institute — a hands-on educational program in partnership with Ivy Tech — that’s benefiting both high school students and nontraditional students in Indiana by providing them access to a full-time career. The program also addresses the automotive technician workforce gap, as there continues to be a nationwide shortage. The CAI offers accredited certifications and degrees in the fields of automotive technology and sales for participants that range from high school students to tenured professionals in the automotive field.
As one of the tenured professionals, Myers earned his technical certificate in business last summer and his associate degree in business administration in May of this year through the robust academic partnership with Ivy Tech. The business certificate requires 31 credit hours — something Myers was able to achieve through a flexible schedule that still allowed him to work full time and support his family.
In his management position, he’s now interacting with customers all day and knew there would be value in additional education around soft customer service skills and a stronger foundation in business.
“I don’t know if I was really a people person in the sales and relationship aspect, but I knew I wanted to climb the ladder little by little,” Myers says. “I knew I needed to get this degree to eventually grow to a point where I have more employees underneath me, and I need to challenge myself and be able to understand them. A lot of what I’ve learned is understanding other people’s situations and pushing myself and learning how to apply that to my career.”
Any learning advantage Myers can take, he does — whether it helps him in his current role or in the future. It’s rare to see a business these days that has such a family aspect to it, and that’s what Myers loves — whether it’s handwritten birthday cards from the CEO or learning opportunities. He says Chariot Automotive hits the nail on the head when it comes to truly taking care of their employees and boosting company morale — adding that he sees the joy and fulfillment on his coworkers’ faces every day.
“The company has been absolutely amazing to me and has provided me with so many opportunities,” he adds. “I’m not one to stay stagnant and really like to grow — Chariot has offered me that opportunity every step of the way, even before the Ivy Tech partnership. Things like Excel workshops and just simple things like that are usually overlooked but incredibly useful.”
Myers credits his wife for being his biggest supporter and driver. With three children, she was always there for him and their family, consistently encouraging him during the longer days.
“I just want to thank everyone — Chariot Automotive and my wife — for this amazing opportunity that I wouldn’t have been able to get elsewhere,” Myers says. “It’s been a huge blessing, and not everyone is this fortunate, despite the challenges and time commitment it has taken. The end result has been so worth it.”
Chariot Automotive believes that making a lasting impact takes real investment. That’s why they provide their employees and the communities they serve with education, advancement opportunities and philanthropic support for important causes. The family-owned dealership believes that the opportunity to succeed — and the encouragement to take the reins, guided by a faithful moral compass — can chart a new path in life.
Though the faces, technology and cars will change from one generation to the next, their guiding principles will remain the same: People come first, and Chariot will always be driven to serve.
