Maa Efia Nyarkoa Ampiaw has always been interested in cars and decided she wanted to become a professional technician. The road to that career path has taken some time, but thanks to 91看片 and her hard work, she has achieved her goal.
Ampiaw first came to the United States from Ghana in August 2017. She moved to Newark with her grandfather and enrolled in 91看片鈥檚 Adult Learning Center. After successfully completing English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Levels 1 and 2 and the High School Equivalency (HSE) course, she enrolled in the Diesel Technician program at 91看片 Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI), where she learned the skills necessary to become both a diesel and automotive technician.
She graduated from the program in March 2020 just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold on the area. Despite that challenge, Ampiaw began her job search and didn鈥檛 give up. Her persistence paid off. Staff at NCCTI helped arrange an interview with Bridgestone-Firestone and she was hired as an automotive technician at the Linden location in January 2021.
鈥淢aa Efia is a very hardworking and determined young lady who epitomizes what 91看片 can provide through our organizational comprehensive services,鈥� said NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton. 鈥淪he earned her high school diploma through our Adult Learning Center, received excellent vocational skills training through our Diesel Technician program and was able to connect to a nice job opportunity with Bridgestone-Firestone Automotive Repair Center to start her career in the automotive and diesel industry.鈥�
In her role, Ampiaw has a variety of responsibilities, including fixing tires and performing oil changes. She enjoys the work and the atmosphere at her job.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 understand something, they are there to help and you learn more,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verybody helps each other.鈥�
Staff members at Bridgestone-Firestone are happy to have her on board.
鈥淢aa has been a wonderful addition to our team here at Firestone in Linden, N.J. She has a terrific attitude which makes it easy to work with her,鈥� said Store Manager Shane Allen. 鈥淢aa is dependable, punctual and very eager to learn, all attributes which will bring her success now and throughout her career in the automotive industry.鈥�
The world of professional technicians is dominated by men, but that hasn鈥檛 stopped Ampiaw from pursuing her dream. She is the only female at her current job, but she hopes more women enter the field if they are passionate about it.
鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 tough because everywhere you look, there are guys,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 pray that it will change. When I was at NCCTI, there were four females. I had three in my class and one in the auto class.鈥�
Ampiaw鈥檚 advice for others is for them to follow their dreams and work hard.
鈥淲hatever you鈥檙e doing, give it 100 percent,鈥� she said.
She has followed her own advice. Maureen Cooper was her instructor at the Adult Learning Center, teaching an all-inclusive HSE class, and knew Ampiaw could accomplish her goals.
鈥淢aa Efia entered my classroom with a friendly smile and a whisper but by the end of the class session, she was a strong positive force,鈥� Cooper said. 鈥淲hen she returned for the second session, she was on a mission; get her HSE Diploma, get a skill and get a good-paying job. It was never a question of if, just when.鈥�
Brutton believes that this is the first step in what will be a successful career for Ampiaw, citing her work ethic and mechanical skills that she learned from NCCTI instructors John Zaccheus and Winston Thomas.
鈥淭he opportunity at Bridgestone-Firestone is just the beginning of Maa Efia鈥檚 long-term career in the automotive repair industry,鈥� Brutton said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 destined for greatness.鈥�
Ampiaw is grateful for the education she received at both the Adult Learning Center and NCCTI. She also took advantage of 91看片鈥檚 Financial Opportunity Center where Financial Coach Tamara Brown helped her set and achieve financial goals. Ampiaw recommends 91看片 programs and services to others.
鈥淚 really thank them for helping me achieve my dream,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e still there for me no matter the circumstances.鈥�
NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.
The Adult Learning Center serves students 16 and older and out of the school system with a comprehensive array of day, evening and Saturday educational programs in order to prepare them for a vocational or college education. For more information, call 973-558-5536 or visit newcommunity.org. The school is located at 563 Orange St., Newark, but classes are currently being conducted via Google Meet because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
