Like Engines? Why You Should Consider Technical School

Spring is here, and the end of the school year is fast approaching. Millions of American students are thinking about their next move, and a college degree isn't the only path you can take. Do you like to wrench, and get your hands dirty? If you enjoy hands-on mechanical work, technical school might actually be a much better match.

The United States has suffered from a well-documented shortage of auto technicians for years. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), around 76,000 service technician job vacancies open annually. Yet, only about 39,000 qualified new technicians enter the labor market each year. 

The shortfall works out to about 37,000 unfilled job vacancies a year. That's a huge gap, and it spells opportunity.

With the labor market tilted in the favor of capable job-seekers, you can turn your love of cars into a well-paid career. According to Salary.com, the average auto technician's salary hit $65,646 in February 2024, with the average range rising as high as $72,819 per year.

Interested? Technical college might be just the ticket. This guide can help you decide if the path is right for you.

What Is a Technical School?

Technical schools offer career-focused practical training programs in targeted areas. As you research them, you'll probably encounter several other terms—trade school, vocational school, and the like. To choose the right path, it's wise to understand the small but notable differences between these terms:

• A technical school or technical college has postsecondary programs leading to associate degrees and/or recognized technical certifications. Technical schools often combine hands-on training with classroom-based lectures.
• A trade school is similar to a technical school, but students usually earn diplomas or recognized certifications instead of degrees. Trade schools also tend to use less classroom-based instruction, and instead take a more practical, hands-on approach to learning.
• A vocational school can be a trade school or a technical college. It's usually used as an umbrella term to describe either type of institution, or a school that offers both technical and trade-focused programs.

Vo-tech school is another term you may hear. It refers to a vocational-technical school, which is a specialized type of high school where students learn trades alongside their regular academic work. Some vo-tech schools also admit adult learners seeking practical training for technical careers.

Reasons to Consider Technical School

For many years, technical colleges and trade schools were commonly thought of as being for high school graduates who didn't have the grades to pursue a college degree. This is a common misconception, and it does a huge disservice to technical schools and the bright, talented students who attend them.

Here are six compelling reasons why technical college should be on your radar if you're looking at college alternatives:

They're (Much) Cheaper

According to TradeSchools.net, average technical school tuition costs ranged from $3,863–$15,549 per year in December 2021. In a study covering the same academic year, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported average tuition fees of $9,596–$34,041 per year at four-year colleges.

Also, technical college students usually spend only 1-2 years in their programs instead of the four years it usually takes to earn a bachelor's degree. Using the lower end of the reported tuition ranges, a student would spend $7,726 on a two-year technical school program while a four-year degree would cost $38,384. That's nearly five times the cost.

They're Accessible

Technical schools have more inclusive admission standards. You don't need a sparkling GPA or high SAT scores to get into a solid program.

You'll Graduate Faster

The typical graduation timeline of 1-2 years does more than save you money on tuition costs. It also gets you into the workforce faster, and likely with less student debt. This can put you at a significant financial advantage from day one of your career.

Class Sizes Are Smaller

Compared to degree-granting colleges, technical schools usually have much smaller class sizes. You'll have more access to your instructors, which can help you learn and master technical concepts with greater efficiency. 

Many students also find small classes much less intimidating, while others enjoy knowing they're learning alongside like-minded peers who are all interested in the same concepts. 

You'll Get Practical, Career-Focused Training

Four-year degree programs aren't just expensive. They're also filled with complex academic requirements that often force students to take courses outside their major or area of interest. Of course, you'll have to pay for those courses even though they have little to do with your degree.

To be fair, colleges want their students to graduate with well-rounded knowledge in a diversity of areas, and that's fine. At the same time, it's also fair to expect programs to focus on a specific set of targeted topics with practical real-world applications. That's exactly what you'll get from a technical school.

They Can Help You Find a Job

Technical colleges are often very active when it comes to helping their graduates find jobs. Many of them partner with local employers and large companies with a footprint in the area. That's certainly the case with OWI, which helped launch the multimillion-dollar PEAK Transportation Center at the Milwaukee Area Technical College in October 2019.

Vocational school alumni also land work at higher rates. A December 2023 labor market study found that 74% of trade school graduates secure employment after completing their programs versus 64% of bachelor's degree-holders. That works out to a 15.6% higher employment rate.

Automotive Technician Programs at Technical Colleges

Modern vehicles are becoming more like computers on wheels, and tech-heavy electric vehicles are taking over increasing shares of the domestic auto market. The labor landscape has a dire need for young auto technicians with cutting-edge skill sets and the ability to service the cars of today and tomorrow.

Automotive technician programs deliver exactly this kind of advanced proficiency. Students train using the latest vehicles and automotive service technologies, building knowledge and skills that will serve them well in an evolving job market.

Racing pro Steve Johnson now serves as an ambassador for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a major accreditor of automotive technician programs at technical institutes. "We have to have technicians," Johnson said in a recent interview. "If [working on cars] is truly what you love to do, then come with fire."

"The sooner young students get a tool in their hand, the more they want to gravitate toward being a technician," Johnson continued. "Body collision, diesel, motorcycle, automotive, marine, any part of that technician landscape … there are so many technicians that are needed in our skilled trades atmosphere."

Support Technical Education with PEAK Auto Care Products 

When you buy PEAK auto care products, you're helping support OWI's ongoing efforts to make technical education more accessible. From the Technicians of Tomorrow competition at the annual Milwaukee Auto Show to scholarship programs for talented auto tech students, OWI makes technical education a core element of the company's strong commitment to community service.

Grab a jug of PEAK antifreeze, upgrade to high-performance wiper blades, or treat your car to PEAK's premium windshield wash. You'll help us guide talented students to bright futures as automotive technicians.

Steve Johnson Be A Technician Scholarship: https://www.stevejohnsonracing.com/scholarships

ASE: https://www.ase.com/students-teachers

Universal Technical Institute: https://www.uti.edu/

WyoTech: https://www.wyotech.edu/

TMC: https://tmc.trucking.org/scholarships

MATC: https://www.matc.edu/