In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Wake County Speedway serves as more than just a venue for professional races on Friday nights. In fact, a group of high school students is making a significant impact in the automotive and racing sectors, largely due to the unwavering commitment of their teacher, Robert Ballard.
Ballard has gained recognition at both local and national levels for his initiatives to enhance diversity in automotive and racing classes, particularly in boosting the female student population by approximately 30% over the past year.
In addition to the traditional classroom environment, students in Ballard’s programme are gaining practical experience by engaging with a wide array of subjects, from mathematics and physics to teamwork and problem-solving in the garage.
Upon assuming the role six years ago, Ballard observed a noticeable lack of interest in automotive classes. He endeavoured to address this issue by expanding the programme from 35 students to 115. Despite these efforts, the gender disparity remained a challenge, prompting Ballard to introduce female “lunch and learns” with the aim of attracting more female students.
Thanks to these endeavours, the female representation in the programme has significantly increased, with senior Chloe Claypoole being one of the few dozen female students in the programme. Claypoole, who specifically transferred from East Chapel Hill High School for the automotive programme, describes her experience as both daunting and inspiring.
As the automotive industry undergoes change, Ballard emphasises that the workforce is also evolving. Female students are beginning to excel in working on newer vehicles, providing a distinct perspective and skillset to the traditionally male-dominated field.
Additionally, the school’s racing programme offers students the opportunity to put their skills to the test on the racetrack, an opportunity that has inspired many, including Claypoole, who sees it not merely as a pastime, but a potential career path.
Complementing their academic and practical experiences, the school recently introduced a pre-apprenticeship programme to jumpstart students’ careers, providing them with invaluable industry experience.
Ballard and his students have received numerous accolades for their accomplishments. He was named the 2023 Teacher of the Year for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and the school itself received a £10,000 grant from WIX Filters and Tomorrow’s Technician magazine for being named the first-place “School of the Year.” Ballard’s dedication was also acknowledged, as he also won Tomorrow’s Technician’s 2023 “Instructor of the Year.”
Ballard emphasises the importance of community partnerships and sponsorships, recognising that these collaborations are pivotal to the success of the programme.
As the programme continues to flourish, Ballard aspires to inspire and encourage more students, particularly young women, to pursue their passions and carve out their own paths in the automotive and racing industries.