The Manual Career and Technology Center is a division of the Kansas City Public School System and offers juniors and seniors real-world training in 12 career paths including automotive collision repair and automotive technology.
Team members from Gary Crossley Ford Service Department visited the Manual Career and Technical Center in Kansas City last month to speak with students about future careers in the automotive industry and donate a pair of engine stands for the students to train on.
Seeing a brand new car in your classroom might be some good motivation 👀 @MyKCFord pic.twitter.com/IvjULsf3AS
— Manual Career Technical Center (@KCPS_ManualCTE) December 13, 2021
Over the next few years car dealerships, body shops, automotive repair shops, and other businesses across the region will likely be dealing with a shortage of trained automotive technicians.
There will be 642,000 more job openings across the United States than qualified job applicants according to a recent analysis of data from the Department of Labor.
“With 642,000 auto/diesel/collision techs needed between 2020 and 2024, the shortage continues to worsen,” said Jennifer Maher, CEO of the TechForce Foundation which analyzed the government data.
“The good news is these careers have been deemed essential by the government, and the transportation industry is organizing to do something about the shortage.”
Nationwide automotive service technicians and mechanics earn a median pay in excess of $44,000 a year in a field where no four-year degree is required.
Gary Crossley Ford is eager to help Kansas City’s students establish a foothold in this stable, promising career by supporting educational and career training programs like the Manual Career and Technical Center.
Jonathan Nieves joined the Gary Crossley Ford team a couple of years ago as a lot porter and has advanced rapidly through multiple positions in the dealership’s service department.
“There are so many people here willing to help the younger technicians learn and teach them different skills,” says Nieves of the culture in the shop.
“I come to work every day and it doesn’t feel like I work. They’ve been nothing but good to me and given me nothing but chances and opportunities. I’m very grateful for that.”
There are immediate openings now for automotive technicians in Gary Crossley Ford’s Body Shop as well as for advisors in the Crossley Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center. Check out all opportunities by clicking here.
