The loss of high school shop classes and the decades-long stigmatization of manual labor have created a shortage in the blue-collar workforce. Few industries are more impacted than the automotive sector. Car dealers and repair shops across the country are on a constant search for technicians (aka mechanics). For those interested in a more specialized automotive career, the restoration and motorsports sectors offer exciting long-term opportunities.
New car technicians can make a good living with excellent job security. The very best dealers in terms of customer satisfaction tend to have the lowest technician turnover and fewer vacancies. As in any potential job, do your homework to find the best work environment. The first step is getting proper training. There are numerous schools to learn automotive tech, including Connecticut’s Porter and Chester Institute and UTI in Phoenix. Porsche’s Technology Apprenticeship Program is a 23-week hands-on program that works with graduates of UTI and other schools and then helps students find full-time jobs at Porsche dealerships. Porsche also has a Classic division, which specializes in repair and restoration.
Speaking of classic cars, the restoration industry needs new blood. For vintage cars, whether it’s a Porsche or a Chevy, you can’t plug in a computer to diagnose a problem. Understanding what makes these cars tick and how to maintain them takes specialized experience and skills. Replacement parts are sometimes unavailable, so existing parts need to be refurbished or recreated. As the gray-haired experts retire, they are taking their knowledge base with them. One organization looking to reverse this decline is the Connecticut-based non-profit Piston Foundation (pistonfoundation.org). Jeff Mason, Co-founder and President, explained their mission. “We launched in 2021 to help more young people find careers in the collector car industry. Since our founding, we’ve awarded 83 scholarships (to schools like McPherson College in Kansas) totaling $300,000. We need 3,000-5,000 new techs each year just to maintain current levels.”
There are many paths one can take in the restoration world. Specialties like interior upholstery, electrical work, body panel fabrication, and paintwork allow young people to find the area that most suits their interests. With classic car prices at record highs, collectors are willing to pay to keep their cherished rides roadworthy.
The motorsports world is another exhilarating career path. From Indy to Daytona to Baja, technicians keep the cars on track and give the drivers what they need to compete. The hours are long, and while the pay varies depending on the level of the team and sponsorship, the high-energy experience is unmatched. Schools like Georgia’s Lanier Technical College offer motorsports-specific programs. For those interested in motorsports engineering, Formula SAE is an annual competition for college students who design, build, and then compete in a car of their own creation. Motorsports offers a wide range of specializations, from suspension to drivetrain to aerodynamics. Watching a Formula 1 race, you only see a small number of the huge team supporting each car.
If you are seeking an exciting career, the auto industry could be the perfect vehicle. •
