Do you enjoy working with your hands? Are you skilled at reasoning and problem solving? If so, you may be interested in a job in the auto repair industry. There are many specialized fields in this broad industry, including automotive technology, automotive electronics, diesel technology, and auto body repair. These are simply a few of the many areas in which an education in automotive technology will prepare you for a career.
Because of advances in technology, mechanics who used to be concerned simply with external repairs have found that a more technological training is now required. Because of this rise in the sophistication of technology, an individual seeking a career in the automotive repair industry will find that an education is absolutely necessary in obtaining the knowledge and skills necessary for the job.
A skilled automotive technician is not only able to repair, maintain, and inspect automobiles, but is also skilled at reasoning and problem solving and is able to quickly identify problems with a customer’s automobile. An education in this field is necessary to learn these skills as well as to gain complete familiarity with automobile structure. Auto repair technicians and mechanics must also be familiar and skilled with the use of a wide variety of tools. A proper training from a school of automotive technology can provide the basis one needs for this career.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 803,000 automobile service technicians and mechanics held jobs in 2004. The Bureau also indicates that, for those who have the proper education and training, job opportunities are especially promising. The Bureau also indicates that employers have reported a shortage of qualified workers, which makes an education and training even more important to any individual wishing to pursue a career in automotive technology. Demand for mechanics and automotive technicians will continue to increase as the number of automobiles in operation increases. An increasing number of families own multiple cares, and as this number increases, the demand for maintenance and repair workers also increases.
From this data, it is obvious that a career in the automotive industry is not only enjoyable, but also holds a promising future. As the demand for automotive technicians increases, so will the wages. Currently the median wage for automotive workers is $15.60 per hour. The highest ten percent of automotive workers earns $26.22 per hour. Many mechanics who work for a dealership or company also receive a commission. As the work becomes more technically sophisticated, salary and wages are sure to rise with the demand for specialized workers.