The Career
Automotive service technicians and mechanics inspect, maintain and repair automobiles and light trucks that run on gasoline, electricity or alternative fuels, such as ethanol. The responsibilities of these professionals have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work.
The increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers to be versatile with a variety of systems and tools. They need to be able to use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while also maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools.
Professional Traits
Those pursuing a career in this field should:
- Have mechanical aptitude and a working knowledge of automobiles
- Be able to diagnose the source of a problem quickly and accurately
- Have strong communication and analytical skills
- Possess solid reading, mathematics and computer skills
Employment and Salary Information
The automotive service profession is experiencing about average growth, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By 2020, the number of positions is expected to increase by 17 percent.
Median hourly earnings for automotive service technicians and mechanics, including commission, were $17.21 in May 2010. The median hourly rate in the industries employing the largest numbers of these workers were as follows:
| Local government, excluding schools |
$21.31 |
| Automobile dealers |
$19.54 |
| Automotive repair and maintenance |
$15.87 |
| Automotive parts, accessories and tire stores |
$14.98 |
The Program
The East Central College Automotive Technology program is recognized as an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified program. It is offered at the ECC Washington site in partnership with Four Rivers Career Center.
Students enrolled in the program gain a solid understanding and working knowledge of the automotive industry. They study automotive technology, with emphasis on lab demonstrations while working in the well-equipped shop area. Students are given hands-on mechanical training from the very start, progressing from basic systems to the more complex. They first work on bench units before moving on to live engines on stands, live cars belonging to the program and finally consumer automobiles.
New students must enroll in the fall and should plan on attending full-time, choosing either a morning or afternoon time block. Students currently in high school can choose to articulate coursework to the AAS degree program and continue with the general education block of coursework at ECC.
Assuming appropriate placement scores, full-time students can expect to complete the certificate track in 24 months.
Admissions Requirements
Students must have completed:
- High school diploma or the equivalent (documentation must be sent to the registration office)
- Application for admission
- A placement test as specified by the college (some courses require minimum placement results)
Additional Program Information
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
49-3023.00
Job Placement Rate
20 percent
Tuition and Required Fees
$3,196 (In-Distict)
$4,250 (Out-of-District)
Books and Supplies
$120.45
Accreditation
East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
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