DRAPER, Utah -- The employees of a local car dealership decided 12 years ago they would use their skills selling cars to teach some pretty cool kids about communication, careers, and the contentment that can come after a job well done.
Karl Malone Toyota hosts 10 students from the South Valley School each semester. South Valley is a transitional school for students who have special needs, and the students learn vocational skills after graduating from high school.
Amy Hind, Customer Relations Manager for Karl Malone Toyota, said the students learn a variety of things.
"They're helping in our showroom, and they're helping detailing in our service department, customers are getting cars cleaned by some of them, and they're just here... so they're just a part of our team,” Hind said.
Hind said the experience often helps the students come out of their shell a little bit.
"And just basically get some social skills too, because some of these kids are super shy and haven't had jobs before,” she said.
Seth Brewer is a student involved in the program, and he spoke about his time at Karl Malone Toyota.
"I've learned good experience here, so after I graduate, I can get a good job here,” he said.
Sam Jones is another participant, and he said it is hard work but added that it is fun to work with the team of fellow students and employees.
Jeff Hannis does detailing work at Karl Malone Toyota, and he said he likes helping the students.
"It's really cool to be able to help enlighten these guys, obviously working with them, we're improving their skills--which is a good feeling to be able to step up and help these guys in this task that they're doing," he said.
