Trust Worthy Mechanic Shortage

USA Today: Serious shortage of skilled auto mechanics looming Thursday 30th, August 2012 / 10:16 Category News Post tags auto mechanics, automotive industry, USA Today The knowledge of a reliable mechanic is, no doubt, invaluable. Maintaining a good reputation for your work is something that often goes unappreciated, because for every honest mechanic out there, you’re defending your integrity against several others who have given mechanics a bad name. Now, take into account that younger generations are becoming less interested in the automotive field, and the future will see fewer mechanics. As disappointing as that sounds, USA Today reports that it’s happening. Rich Orbain, manager for General Motors’ Service Technical College, told USA Today that they’re finding a shortage of technicians in the near future because it’s getting very difficult to get young people interested in an automotive career. The story points out that younger generations have grown up with computers, gadgets and video games, rather than working under the hood in dad’s garage, and they’re not interested in what gives power to a hotrod or muscle car. Factor in that high schools have also had to cut automotive programs, reducing exposure to the field. USA Today says the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the nation’s demand for auto mechanics is expected to have grown about 17% from 2010 to 2020, adding 124,800 jobs, for a total of 848,200. And auto technicians earned an average of $35,790, but 10% earned more than $59,590 in 2010, the story says. Master mechanics are especially in high demand. The computer systems in today’s vehicles are complex, in addition to the powertrain technologies – hybrids, electrics and advanced clean-diesel engines – being introduced. USA Today notes that a typical car may have 20+ microprocessors working together, each running software with thousands of lines of code to control vital systems, from anti-lock brakes or the infotainment system. There are currently steps being taken to lure more students towards a career in auto mechanics. AAA said in the story that it reaches out to 900 vocational schools across the country to encourage stronger programs and more students. And instructors are teaching more about the diagnosing and troubleshooting problems by a computer, in addition to the hands-on mechanical work. “Students are still interested, but you have to go out and actively pursue them at the high schools,” Mike Garblik told USA Today. The professor of automotive technology at Sinclair Community College, said that students are being pulled in so many different directions since there are so many opportunities