Youth Take VR Auto Skills into a Working County Garage

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Four young men at the East Mesa Youth Detention Facility spent three months learning automotive repair using virtual reality. This week, they stepped into a real garage to use those skills alongside County mechanics and help maintain County vehicles.

“This program is unique because it blends virtual reality with hands-on training,” said Supervising Probation Officer Eduardo Calderon. “Through our partnership with San Diego County Fleet Services, the youth can work on real fleet vehicles while in custody — an opportunity rarely offered in programs like this.”

County Fleet mechanic Geovanny Gallardo led the group through a six-month vehicle safety inspection and walked them through an annual preventative inspection and service. He demonstrated each step, handed them tools, showed them how to check and reinstall tires, and encouraged them to document everything. He also answered their questions about his own career path.

One participant said he is exploring as many trades as he can while in custody.

“I’m trying to learn every trade I can now so that when I go home, I have options,” he said. He is studying psychology because he wants to help others, but he also enjoys working on cars and may pursue that path.

Another young man said he is considering becoming an auto mechanic. “It’s a work of passion for me,” he said. “It’s a big responsibility, so I make sure I understand everything.”

Probation Officer Ricardo Macklem, who develops youth programs, said he is proud of the progress.

“I feel honored to be part of this program,” Macklem said. “We’ve put in a lot of work to get here and they’re excited to learn.”

County Fleet Services Chief David Fernandez said staff hope to show students how virtual training connects to real maintenance work.

The automotive program is also offered at the Kearny Mesa Youth Transition Campus, where both young women and young men participate. Macklem said the two classes will rotate time in the County garage.

San Diego County Probation offers several vocational programs for youth in custody, including a fire academy, construction, culinary arts, health care assistance, automotive training and more. The programs help youth build skills, earn certifications, and access resources that support their future success.

 

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