How ODS, Oklahoma Technical College, and Bill Knight Ford Are Creating New Opportunities for Veterans
Military veterans bring something valuable to the workforce: discipline, leadership, accountability, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure.
These are qualities that employers across the automotive industry need every day.
But transitioning from military service into a civilian career isn't always straightforward. Finding the right opportunity, learning a new trade, and earning a dependable income while pursuing additional education can present challenges.
This Veterans Day, OnSite Dealer Solutions (ODS) is proud to introduce an initiative designed to help bridge that gap.
Through a partnership with Oklahoma Technical College (OTC) and Bill Knight Ford, our new From Detail to Technician Program creates a career development pathway for military veterans interested in becoming professional automotive service technicians.
The concept is simple: Earn while you learn. Gain real dealership experience. Build a future in automotive service.
A Career Path Built for Veterans
For many veterans, transitioning into civilian employment means starting a new chapter while continuing to support themselves and their families.
Traditional education programs can require students to balance tuition, living expenses, and time away from work.
The From Detail to Technician Program takes a different approach.
Instead of asking veterans to choose between employment and education, the program brings both together.
Eligible participants begin their journey with full-time employment at OnSite Dealer Solutions, receiving paid training, applicable employee benefits, and hands-on experience inside an automotive dealership.
As they develop their skills, participants can pursue automotive technician education through Oklahoma Technical College while gaining exposure to the professional service environment at Bill Knight Ford.
It's an opportunity to build a career while continuing to earn a paycheck.
Learning the Dealership From the Ground Up
Before becoming an automotive technician, there's tremendous value in understanding how an entire dealership operates.
That's where ODS comes in.
As a provider of dealership detailing, reconditioning, and labor force solutions, ODS works directly within automotive dealerships to help manage the processes that prepare vehicles for sale and delivery.
Veterans entering the program will gain firsthand experience in vehicle detailing, make-ready operations, inventory management, quality control, and dealership workflow.
They'll also learn how new and pre-owned vehicle departments interact with service operations, how work orders move through the dealership, and why communication and accountability are essential to keeping vehicles moving.
Along the way, participants can develop leadership skills and work toward becoming certified ODS managers.
These experiences help build a strong operational foundation before participants pursue more specialized automotive technician responsibilities.
Four Steps Toward a New Career
The program combines practical experience, technical education, and mentorship into four stages.
1. Earn + Learn
Veterans begin working full-time with ODS, earning compensation and receiving applicable benefits while learning dealership operations and developing professional skills.
2. Start Your Career
Participants gain opportunities to learn alongside experienced automotive technicians at Bill Knight Ford, developing familiarity with service department operations, tools, equipment, and professional technician responsibilities.
3. Graduate + Move Up
Eligible veterans can pursue automotive technician training at Oklahoma Technical College using applicable GI Bill® education benefits.
ODS will work to coordinate full-time employment schedules around OTC classes, allowing participants to continue earning while advancing their education.
After completing their education and meeting applicable requirements, participants can pursue entry-level automotive technician opportunities within Bill Knight Ford.
4. Get Your Tools
For qualifying program graduates who transition into eligible technician positions, Bill Knight Ford will contribute $3,000 toward a physical starter toolbox and toolset.
It's a meaningful investment designed to help new technicians begin their careers with essential equipment.
Three Partners With One Shared Mission
Creating a successful transition from military service to an automotive career requires more than a single employer or training institution.
It takes organizations willing to work together.
OnSite Dealer Solutions provides the employment foundation, introducing veterans to dealership operations through paid training, hands-on experience, and opportunities for professional development.
Oklahoma Technical College provides automotive technical education, helping eligible veterans build the specialized knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue technician careers.
Bill Knight Ford connects participants with professional automotive service environments, mentorship opportunities, and potential technician positions across its Tulsa Oklahoma dealership.
Together, the three organizations are creating a pathway that connects employment, education, experience, and career advancement.
Why Automotive Careers Make Sense for Veterans
The automotive industry offers opportunities for individuals who enjoy solving problems, working with their hands, learning new technology, and seeing the results of their efforts.
Modern automotive technicians do far more than traditional mechanical repairs.
Today's vehicles incorporate increasingly sophisticated electrical systems, diagnostic equipment, safety technology, and computer-controlled components.
Technicians must continually learn, adapt, and develop new skills as vehicle technology evolves.
For military veterans accustomed to technical training, structured procedures, teamwork, and accountability, these responsibilities can provide a natural opportunity to apply existing strengths in a new environment.
And because dealerships depend on qualified service professionals to maintain and repair vehicles, technician development remains an important priority throughout the automotive industry.
The From Detail to Technician Program is designed to help veterans take that first step with confidence.
More Than a Job. A Future.
At ODS, we believe great employees deserve opportunities to grow.
That philosophy is reflected in our commitment to employee training, leadership development, and building stronger dealership teams.
The From Detail to Technician Program takes that commitment one step further by helping veterans develop skills that can support an entirely new career.
For participants, success isn't simply about completing a training program.
It's about gaining meaningful employment, developing technical expertise, building professional relationships, and creating new opportunities for themselves and their families.
For our dealership partners, it's another way to help develop the next generation of automotive professionals.
And for the veterans who have already dedicated so much through their military service, it's an opportunity to continue building something meaningful.
Honor Their Service. Build Their Future.
As Veterans Day approaches, OnSite Dealer Solutions is proud to recognize the men and women who have served our country.
We also believe that appreciation should extend beyond a single day.
By investing in employment, education, mentorship, and career development, we can help create opportunities that make a lasting difference.
The From Detail to Technician Program is one way ODS and our partners are putting that belief into action.
If you're a military veteran interested in pursuing a career in automotive service, we invite you to explore the program and discover what your next chapter could look like.
Your next mission starts here.
👉 Explore the From Detail to Technician Program
👉 Learn More About Careers at ODS
Program participation is subject to eligibility, hiring requirements, education benefit approval, and available opportunities. Technician employment is not guaranteed. The $3,000 starter toolbox and toolset contribution is subject to qualifying program and employment requirements.
