Retooling Auto Repair Education

The thirty-year old pendulum swing in education toward a four-year college degree has left the auto repair industry without enough qualified technicians in the workplace and fewer and fewer students seeking an automotive based education.

At a time when demand for qualified technicians exceeds supply, industry educators are sounding the alarm. They want owners of repair shops, dealerships and national chains to join together to overhaul the system that promotes careers and education in the automotive field.

Lack of funding for programs, industry image and parents discouraging their students from considering an automotive technician career all have nearly shut down what programs do remain. ASE Industrial Education Alliance wants to turn that around by promoting the positive side of  auto repair career opportunities.

Educate yourself further by reading Ratchet & Wrench, September 2014 issue’s article “Building for the Future,” by Bryce Evans. There you will meet Mike Romano o the Universal Technical Institute, who is leading the charge for change.