NASCAR technician training and automotive technology programs are driving economic growth in North Carolina, the home of NASCAR.

By Jessica Santina
RWM Columnist
September 28, 2006

Each year, this country needs another 35,000 new automotive service technicians to fill new jobs. In North Carolina, auto racing generates about $1.5 billion annually for the state's economic growth, not to mention hundreds of new jobs.

A career in automotive technology gives you a chance to explore your interests in technology, mechanics, and, of course, cars, while offering job security and a competitive salary. A vocational school program in North Carolina will give you quite a head start.

NASCAR and North Carolina
North Carolina's relationship with the automobile is world-renowned. NASCAR, one of the world's most watched sporting events, is based here, as are many of the racing teams and related industries. NASCAR also just recently announced that its NASCAR Hall of Fame will be built near Charlotte, in North Carolina.

With racing comes racing-related businesses that have relocated, opened up additional locations, or begun from scratch here in North Carolina. And they all need employees. Enrolling in a vocational program in North Carolina that offers automotive technology and NASCAR technician training puts you at the forefront of the automotive industry when you're looking to begin work.

A Career in Automotive Technology
Automotive technology is a very sophisticated, highly technological field that incorporates complex electronics and computer systems. Like the mechanics of yesterday, those doing automotive technician jobs are likely to work with wrenches, but they're just as likely to work with computers.

Automotive technicians use their high-tech skills to inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks. They may work with vehicles that run on gasoline, ethanol, electricity, or other alternative fuels, and their knowledge of such alternative fuels will be increasingly important in the coming years. Because of our reliance on computers and technology to run our cars, those wishing to fill automotive technician jobs should have the most advanced and up-to-date training possible. This can be earned at any vocational school that offers a certificate or degree in automotive technology.

In North Carolina, such programs may also offer NASCAR technician training -- an excellent way to get your start in the racing industry.

The Future is Bright
The demand to fill automotive technician jobs will continue to grow as families increasingly drive multiple cars. And this is one career field that will always see steady business, even in tough economic times. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that median hourly earnings for this career were $15.60 in May 2004, and the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) says professional technicians can earn $60,000 per year or more.

So put yourself in the driver's seat, and enroll in an automotive technology and NASCAR technician training program in North Carolina today.

Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics - "Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics"
NASCAR Technical Institute, Mooresville, NC, "NASCAR Comes to the Service Bay"
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)
North Carolina Motorsports Association, "Say it With Flowers" by Jack Flowers
Wikipedia, "North Carolina"

About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.