Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan students working on a Caterpillar C-15 diesel engine.

Today’s automotive technician is not the “mechanic” of the past. In fact, millennials are finding that numerous hiring opportunities combined with new and emerging technologies in the automotive and medium/heavy diesel truck field make pursuing a career in this industry an exciting and rewarding choice. We’ve come up with seven reasons why working in the auto/diesel industry could be the right choice for you.

1) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, auto technicians and diesel truck technicians will be so in demand that candidates may see advantages like signing bonuses, tool allowances and upward mobility in such areas as diagnostics and management helping to actively recruit new talent.

2) A large number of the Baby Boomer-generation auto repair technicians, shop managers and general managers are retiring at a high rate. The retirement activity in this field alone produces many opportunities for young, aspiring technicians to help fill in the gaps.

3) Many young people enjoy working with their hands as well as their minds to develop in-demand skill sets that are tied to well-paying jobs. Auto/diesel technicians spend their time working with tools and diagnostic technology to repair, inspect and maintain a variety of different vehicles each day.

4) Accredited education, auto repair certification, and training programs are readily available at very affordable tuition rates that do not necessarily require years of classroom time, but instead offer learning by doing. The Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan is equipped with state-of-the-art labs and hands-on experience to provide students with the skills needed to hit the ground running.

5) The potential of becoming an owner/operator of an independent repair business is a very real possibility. With a few years of working for a dealership or independent shop to gain experience, becoming an owner in a good market can prove to be a very real, and very rewarding possibility.

6) As technicians become well versed and their skills sharpened, opportunities in adjacent professional areas such as insurance, auto appraising, teaching, manufacturer representative and auto engineering may become an option with some additional education requirements.

7) If you are a person who likes change, the auto repair industry is at a crossroads. Electric, Hybrid and other alternative fuel vehicles are on the horizon. In addition, autonomous vehicles and novel market changes will provide a dynamic and exciting future for urban and rural commutes alike.

For those who love problem-solving, working with their hands and tackling new challenges, a career in auto and medium / heavy truck technology is a great option. With tons of opportunities to get into the field and to advance in multiple career paths, auto/diesel technicians have a bright future. If this sounds like the right career for you, visit our Auto/Diesel Institute of Michigan Program Page and get started on this rewarding career path.

Lynn Rogers is the Director of the Auto / Diesel Institute in Owosso, MI. He has worked for over 30 years in education as a public school educator and corporate trainer and holds a Masters Degree in Education from Elmira College in New York. In addition to working as the program director, he also works in Business Relations with auto and diesel repair facilities throughout the state of Michigan to coordinate efforts for identifying internship sites and employment opportunities for ADI auto and diesel service technology students.