Instructional Materials Laboratory

Training Is the Key for Tomorrow’s Job Market

Instructors know that the combination of classroom work and hands-on shop experience offered by an automotive technology training program is the groundwork students need to succeed. But they also know that students and prospective students have questions. What is the job outlook for automotive technicians? Is the time spent in a training program really worth it?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “formal automotive technician training is the best preparation” for students looking to become technicians.

In its Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau states that the job outlook for automotive technicians is expected to be “very good” through 2014, the period for which projections have been made. During that time, the demand for qualified technicians is expected to increase 9% to 17%. This translates into approximately 72,270 to 136,510 additional jobs.

Various factors are driving this trend, such as

• Changing technology
• Demand created by more multi-vehicle households
• Need to replace an increasing number of retiring technicians, who are typically the most experienced workers

However, the Bureau does note that individuals without formal automotive training can expect to face competition for entry-level jobs. Even with more jobs on the horizon, training authorities recommend formal training, and employers look for technicians who have completed training programs.

The complex and changing nature of the automotive service industry is responsible for this emphasis on formal training. Mechanical aptitude, as always, is essential, but it is only one of many skills employers look for. Today’s technician needs a wide range of abilities, including

• Computer, math, and science skills
• Exceptional problem-solving and diagnostic abilities
• Training in electronics
• Reading skills, in order to keep up with changes in service procedures
• Communication skills, to explain procedures to customers and work well with coworkers and employers

A comprehensive training program that offers students the opportunity to learn these skills and put them into practice is the experience students need to take advantage of the growing prospects in the field of automotive service.

IML’s Automotive Technology curriculum can be a valuable tool in preparing students for the challenges they will meet on the job. All of IML’s Automotive Technology modules are crosswalked to 100% of the NATEF tasks for their respective area and are regularly updated to reflect changes in the Task List.

Reference:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos181.htm (accessed March 14, 2007).

To learn more about IML and its products or purchase curriculum material, visit IML’s Web site.