What do wheelchairs, bicycles, sewing machines, fire trucks, washers and dryers, motorcycles, RVs, vending machines, cars, and farm tractors all have in common?
If you guessed they each rely upon mechanics for proper service and function, you’re right!
Do you also know there is a significant shortage of mechanics in our area, and especially in our region of the country?
Do you know you can make a really good career with a mechanical skill set?
Just think of everything in your daily life that exists because someone learned mechanical skills, and chose to share their talents.
Did you grab some breakfast before you left home? If so, mechanics were involved in making the appliances that made it so your food was kept cold, frozen, or warm.
It’s also a safe bet to say that a mechanic was involved with the farm equipment that assisted in the preparation, planting, growing, and harvesting of the corn, oats, wheat or other grain that your favorite cereal is made from.
Mechanics are needed everywhere, and there is a continual need for more and more mechanics in our world.
According to LearnHowToBecome.org, Utah is the state that sees the greatest need and growth for mechanics. The surrounding states of Nevada, Idaho, and Colorado also are listed in the top 10 areas with the highest projected job growth for mechanics.
Training for mechanics is available from a number of sources.
Mountainland Technical College, for example, lists its automotive technology program as having a completion rate of 96% and a placement rate for their students of 95%.
MTEC.edu advertises a total cost of about $8,500 for a two-year program that is open to adults and high school juniors and seniors.
Various scholarships and financial aid packages from a host of private and public sources are available to explore, as well as placement opportunities to work part-time while enrolled in the MTEC program.
If you are interested in becoming a professional mechanic, there is comfort in knowing you can take an assessment exam to help you determine if this would be a good fit for you before you commit your time and money to this or any other program MTECH offers.
Other vocational schools may have similar assessment exams available.
Program coordinator for Automotive Technology at MTEC, Matt Zufel said that the vast majority of MTEC graduates in his program graduate with little or no debt. He spoke specifically about the opportunity to graduate as an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) Master Technician when passing the ASE certification tests.
The Automotive Program has a strong partnership with large dealerships and independent repair shops that love to hire MTEC students while enrolled in class for three hours each day. Many of these repair shops bring the students onboard and pair them with existing master technicians as mentors to the student apprentices.
“MTEC loves to focus on a solid foundation in electrical and electronics diagnostics and repair, so that no matter which way the wind blows, our students will be ready to meet the challenges they will likely face in the industry,” Zufelt said.
For more information on how you can acquire skills that can push you toward a valuable career in a couple short years, go to mtec.edu.
