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The Automotive Technology program o ers a full degree program and certi cate programs that pre- pare students for certi cation in Maintenance and Light Repair, Automotive Service Technician, or Mas- ter Automobile Service Technology designations. Bill King, provost of the Technical Campus, said accreditation was an important step in the Automo- tive Technology program’s development. “This accreditation is an indicator of how seriously we take providing industry-standard training,” King said in a statement. Prior to the pandemic, it was already a tough indus- try to ll positions, said Brent Franks, president with the North Texas Automobile Dealers, which serves multiple counties, including Collin. It is a challenge that has remained constant, as workers in this indus- try are “essential,” he said. “Our communities are so spread out,” Franks said. “We need to have quali ed technicians to x our vehicles to maintain our ability to get our kids to school and to go to work.” A growing problem Collin College has several industry partners for its automotive technical program. To earn certi ca- tions, students must complete at least one internship in an automotive related job, Elias said. Partners are often reaching out to the college asking if students are available for help, he said. “The demand for technicians is very high,” Alba said. “We have people that are retiring or leaving or left the workforce, so you can say our partners are kind of desperate, and they need a lot of technicians.” Data from the Texas Workforce Commission shows job postings for automotive technicians was one of the top listings in Collin County, with 268 total postings between January and July. Only two other job post categories had more than that, with retail trade at 641 total postings and “other services” with 1,187 postings. The top two cities in the county posting automo- tive tech job openings were McKinney and Plano. Texas Workforce Commission data shows an entry- level position in the area can earn a salary of $28,626, with an average wage of $50,224. Technician shortages end up costing drivers more time, data shows. According to the CCC study, from
CHARTING a course A career in auto tech can start immediately after high school and o er a multitude of opportunities.
in automotive technology Most automotive dealerships use a tiered system. Here are some basic guidelines to them. LEVELING UP
Entry level • Tasks may include basic maintenance, such as changing oil, rotating tires • Estimated wage: $28,626
Students can choose to take some automotive courses while still in high school.
Students receive certi cations after high school. This can be done through private
or public entities.
Associated tech • In the process of completing training • Performs general maintenance and most repairs • Estimated wage: $50,224
Students receive training with an original equipment manufacturer or a dealer.
Collin College tuition: $1,960
2019 to 2021 the time between the start and comple- tion of repair has increased 2.1 days. It is also taking longer to get an appointment to bring a vehicle in for repairs, with 96% of the shops in the study reporting in 2021 they had backlogs of two weeks. “A work shortage would mean people won’t be able to get their cars xed, their re engines xed, their emergency vehicles xed,” Franks said. A changing industry The Body Shop Collision Center in McKinney is a family-owned and -operated automotive repair cen- ter that has been in business since 1976. Owner John Rattan and his daughter Jessica Rattan, who is the shop’s director of marketing and communications, are focused on maintaining their unique company culture and values, Jessica Rattan said. That has not exempted them from sta ng struggles. “I’m kind of looking for the next generation work- force, because it’s a little bit of a dying industry, so we have to get creative,” Jessica Rattan said. Finding skilled and well-trained employees is the goal, but nding any employees seems to be a recurring problem, Jessica Rattan said. Despite some
Specialized-Master • Mastered most vehicle systems and can train others • Able to accurately diagnose and repair vehicles • Mastered all vehicle systems and has leadership potential • May specialize in a certain system • Estimated wage: $61,022+
SOURCES: NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE DEALERS ASSOCIATION, TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
according to a 2022 study conducted by software as a service platform for the insurance industry CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. But with its program and its accreditation, Collin College is training up a new generation of technicians to serve Collin County and cities like McKinney. “Our classes are in high demand,” said Elias Alba, Collin College’s interim director of automotive and collision technology. “Our classes lled up so quickly I had to open up a new section.”
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