Selecting the Right Automotive Technology Schools

by Stanley Rubenti
Stanley.Rubenti@careerschoolguide.com
Career School Guide Columnist

Let’s review the facts. Toyota, Honda, GM, and Ford have already joined the race for more fuel-efficient cars. Conflict in the Middle East is constantly driving up oil prices. And if that weren’t enough, many employers have begun offering tax incentives to their employees if they use hybrid automotive technology. All of these spell pretty big changes for those with the right type of automotive training.

The Automotive Technician Jobs of Tomorrow

Those who attended automotive technology schools 10 years ago may have missed out on fairly rapid changes in the larger industry. 10 years ago, hybrid technology was still in its infancy, and not many automotive technology schools offered adequate training in this area. In order to remain current, many of them will have to go back to school to update their skills. Unfortunately for them, the automotive technician jobs of tomorrow will require greater familiarity with alternative fuel sources and hybrid technology.

This, however, is great news for you if you have yet to start applying to automotive technology schools. You now have an opportunity to concentrate your focus on those areas that are likely to help drive the automotive market in the years to come. Computer technology, hybrid fuel systems, and GPS are just a few of the innovations worth factoring when looking at different automotive technology schools.

Different Types of Automotive Technician Jobs

Although automotive technicians have traditionally focused on repairing broken down cars, their duties will likely expand as car usage continues to skyrocket. Currently, there are approximately 600 million vehicles in use today. This number is expected to double over the next 30 years if current growth rates stay the same. And as cars become even more sophisticated, the skills required to fix them will become more specialized. As such, many of the automotive technicians of tomorrow will be so well trained that they should be able to transition into other parts of automotive technology—including design.

Sources:

US Department of Labor
Hypertext Book
Dayton Daily News
CCH HR Management

About the Author

A freelance writer, Stanley Rubenti currently lives in Bangkok where he provides admissions consultation for college-bound students. Stanley holds a B.A. in history.