ADEI Graduation Draws Record Crowd and Highlights the Value of Apprenticeship
September 16, 2026
The Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI) celebrated another successful year of workforce development on August 26 at Montgomery College’s Gudelsky Institute for Technical Education, with the program’s largest graduation ceremony to date. More than 120 dealership sponsors, apprentices, family members, educators, workforce development partners, and community leaders gathered to recognize graduates and welcome the newest group of students entering the program.
The event underscored the growing impact of ADEI as dealerships throughout the Washington region continue searching for solutions to the industry’s technician shortage. As the nation’s largest nonprofit automotive technician apprenticeship program, ADEI provides a direct pathway into automotive service careers through a combination of classroom instruction and paid, hands-on dealership training.
Several elected officials participated in this year’s ceremony to recognize the importance of career and technical education. Montgomery County Councilwoman Kristin Mink, Prince George’s County Councilwoman Jolene Ivey, and Maryland State Senator Will Smith joined graduates and guests, offering remarks that celebrated the achievements of the apprentices and highlighted the critical role skilled technicians play in supporting Maryland’s economy and transportation infrastructure.
While graduation day is an opportunity to celebrate completed milestones, the most meaningful measure of ADEI’s success is what happens after students return to their dealerships. Employer feedback continues to demonstrate the value of investing in apprenticeship as a long-term workforce strategy.
One dealership partner, Fitzgerald Subaru, recently shared several examples of how ADEI graduates have advanced their careers while contributing to dealership success. Dwayne Waters, a member of ADEI’s very first graduating class, has remained with Fitzgerald Subaru for 20 years and currently serves as Team Leader after eight years in that role. Today, he holds the distinction of Subaru Senior Master Technician.
The program’s impact can also be seen in younger technicians. Kevin Guzman serves as Assistant Team Leader and works alongside Waters helping manage the Subaru team. At just 25 years old, Guzman has already earned Subaru Master Technician status, illustrating how structured training and mentorship can accelerate professional development.
More recently, ADEI graduate Cris Hernandez has progressed into an Apprentice Technician role, working closely with one of the dealership’s Platinum Master Technicians. According to dealership leadership, Hernandez is expected to advance to a full technician position on January 1, 2027.
For dealer principals and service managers, stories like these demonstrate that apprenticeship is more than a recruitment tool. It is a proven talent development strategy that helps create productive technicians, future shop leaders, and long-term employees. As ADEI continues to grow, so too does its network of graduates who are building successful careers while helping dealerships meet the increasing demand for skilled service professionals.
WANADA congratulates the 2026 graduating class and thanks the dealers, instructors, public officials, and workforce partners whose support continues to make ADEI one of the industry’s most successful workforce development programs.
