Emerging Jobs for Automotive VoTech Grads

The automotive industry is going through a period of exciting change. Advanced vehicle technologies have transformed the driving experience, and electric vehicles (EVs) continue to grow in popularity. Self-driving cars are on the horizon, along with many other promising developments.

Automotive careers are also changing. "Mechanics" have become "technicians." Computer-assisted diagnostics have taken over, and career paths are becoming more specialized. There's also a huge shortage of qualified candidates in the auto technician workforce, which spells opportunity for anyone interested in a hands-on career in vehicle service.

The typical career path sees technicians go to a vocational or technical (VoTech) school, then graduate into an entry-level position and continue learning through on-the-job training. Like the auto industry itself, VoTech programs are innovating and they offer an efficient, affordable path to a great career with a bright future.

Steve Herro of Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) joined us to discuss emerging automotive jobs for VoTech graduates and the future of the automotive service industry. Steve manages the MATCDrive program at the Al Hurvis PEAK Transportation Center, proudly sponsored by PEAK.

The changing job landscape for automotive technicians

Over the past decade or so, technological change has swept through the automotive industry. Those changes have also impacted technicians, the work they do, and the skill sets they need.

“In the past, an experienced mechanic would rely more heavily on their years of experience, strong mechanical aptitude, less sophisticated diagnostic tools and large cumbersome shop manuals to complete a repair,” says Steve.

“Mechanical aptitude and experience are still important, but with so much technology packed in today’s vehicles, technicians need new skills that include a greater understanding of computer systems, electrical and engine control systems.”

Specialization is the future

Steve notes that cars basically ran on the same technological platform for 120 years. "Now, all of a sudden,” he says, “there's a lot of exciting new technology that's completely changing everything."

As automotive technologies continue to evolve, and as new ones appear, Steve believes technicians will adapt to fill more specialized roles. "I see the automotive service technician industry dividing into two branches: specialized chassis technicians, and technology specialists who will almost be like computer engineers," he says. 

"EVs and hybrids still have the same chassis as conventional vehicles — brakes, steering, suspension, all those kinds of things," Steve explains. "Then, you have the technology side with computerized components, advanced driver assistance systems, things of that nature."

VoTech schools are innovating alongside the automotive industry

“The students we bring into the industry need to have a different skill set than they did in the past," Steve says. "An aging workforce is one of the big issues we have in our industry right now. There's a lot of working professionals who didn't grow up surrounded by computer technology. They're aging out, and we need a lot more young, computer literate technicians to come in and replace them."

To keep up with the fast pace of industry change, vocational and technical schools are updating their programs, curricula, and faculty training standards to ensure graduates meet the needs of today's employers.

“We continue to evaluate and change our curriculum based on feedback from employers and industry partners. The image of a greasy auto mechanic is a stereotype that has long passed. This is a high-tech industry now,” says Steve. “Our faculty does a great job keeping up with the latest industry training and certifications to pass along the most up-to-date knowledge to students.

Program options for automotive tech students

While every school is unique, VoTech institutes typically offer two types of programs: shorter-term programs leading to certificates or diplomas, and two-year programs that award an associate degree.

For example, MATC's automotive tech programs include nine-month technical diplomas in:

• Collision repair
• Diesel and powertrain servicing
• General automotive maintenance

MATC also has an associate degree program in automotive technology, covering automotive technology in deeper, more advanced detail.

“Every student has their own goals and life situations when they come to us interested in a career in transportation servicing,” Steve explains. “Being able to offer both short and long duration programs allows more students to succeed.”

Program content is also designed to be engaging for students with varying interests. "Every day you come in, you're going to get to work on something different," he says. "That's the cool thing about our programs."

What's the long-term job outlook for automotive technicians?

According to Steve, “The exact numbers depend on what you read, but some sources say we'll need 75,000-plus new technicians to enter the industry every year for the next half-dozen years or so to keep up with demand.”

Like many other labor market segments, the automotive service industry has an aging workforce and a strong need for young, career-minded people to come in and fill vacancies. As of April 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected 67,700 annual openings for automotive service technicians and 15,100 annual vacancies for auto body and glass repair specialists through 2032.

Nationally, BLS projects 2% job growth from 2022–32 for automotive service technicians, but demand will be much higher in some states. For example, the Department of Labor's O*NET Online database projects auto technician job growth of 29% in New York, 19% in Utah, and 12% in Washington state during the same period.

For a deep dive, check out our post on the job outlook for automotive technical school graduates.

Vocational and technical schools offer many advantages

VoTech institutes are, on average, a much cheaper option than going to college to earn a degree. Average tuition costs start at about $3,600 per year, compared to $9,750 per year for in-state students at public colleges and $35,248 per year for private four-year schools.

Technical schools also offer a more efficient and practical approach to learning. Automotive tech curricula focus heavily on practical and technical skills, packing a lot of hands-on learning into compact programs. They provide a fast, reliable path to stable, in-demand careers and many schools have excellent job placement rates.

"Our programs are packed," Steve says. "There's a shortage of working technicians but we're working hard to fill it. Our enrollment in the MATCDrive program is up 41% over the past six years. I think that's because people are realizing these are good jobs and that there's security in this career. You can't export a technician's job out of the country."

Build transferable skills in VoTech programs

The skills students build in automotive technology programs also support a diversity of career paths beyond working as a service technician. "One of the things I always tell students is that the skills you're learning are transferable and portable," Steve explains. "There's lots of different things you can go into.” 

Master engineers at vehicle manufacturers — they all come out of the auto tech industry. We had a former student who started working on diesel generators on an oil rig in Louisiana, making six figures with two weeks off every month to sit on the beach. He learned how to fix diesel engines on cars and trucks, but guess what? You'll find the same diesel engine in a generator."

Emerging automotive service technician jobs to target as your career advances

Steve forecasts an increasing move toward specialization in the automotive service industry, as do other experts. For example, demand for specially trained EV technicians is already rising as consumers continue to adopt electric vehicles. Some other emerging specializations include:

• Autonomous vehicle technicians
• Automotive cybersecurity specialists
• Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technicians

Cybersecurity in the automotive industry could become a huge focal point in the years ahead, especially as vehicles become more integrated with internet-connected smart technologies. To this end, BLS projects a stunning 32% growth rate for information security specialists from 2022–32, with median pay rates already topping $120,000 per year.

PEAK Auto proudly supports vocational and technical education

At PEAK Auto, we understand how important technical education is to the future of the automotive industry. That's why we proudly support program and facilities development at institutions like MATC, where our support helped launch the multimillion-dollar Al Hurvis PEAK Transportation Center in 2020.

If you like cars, engines, and all things mechanical and you're looking to build versatile skills with strong appeal in today's job market, heading to technical school might prove to be the best education decision you'll ever make.