It’s no secret that cars are getting more advanced. Even if we forget about autonomous cars for a second, looking into the engine bay of a modern car reveals just how complex vehicles have become.
According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, training for automotive mechanics is in the middle of a revolution, as cars are becoming more computerized.
Officials at the Waubonsee Community College’s Automotive Technology Program claim that the good ol’ days of being a gear head are over. “People come in and out of the program, but the old days of being a ‘motor head’ or a ‘wrench jockey’ and coming up through the school of hard knocks have kind of changed,” said James Armitage, a professor in the Waubonsee program. “Cars today are basically rolling computers and we fill in the blanks.”
The majority of enthusiasts don’t have any formal training and learn how to fix cars by making mistakes on their own vehicles. Unfortunately, as vehicles adopt more technology, they become harder to fix, which is why an entry-level position as a technician requires getting a special certification, claims the outlet.
According to Kenneth Kunz, an automotive technology professor with the Waubonsee program, the school sees about 15 to 20 students graduate every year. And participants that complete the program usually don’t have an issue finding a career in the industry.
We’re sure being an automobile mechanic in the industry during the recent technological revolution is difficult. More advanced vehicles means technicians will have to be able to diagnose computer-related issues, making their jobs even more difficult. With cars continuing to incorporate more technology, we expect traditional mechanics to disappear, paving the way forward for more certified ones that have more hands-on experience with computers.