Industry partners meet with students to showcase career opportunities
The Automotive Technician program at Dakota County Technical College hosted an Automotive Fair September 20, 2023, on the college’s campus in Rosemount, Minnesota. Students and faculty in the program along with college staff and administrators met with representatives from area automotive and transportation businesses and organizations. The purpose of the fair was identifying the multitude of gainful job options in the industry.
Jeff Copeland
“We would like to thank all of our industry partners who attended our career fair this past Wednesday,” said Jeff Copeland, automotive technician faculty. “We had people from twenty-five different companies present to talk with our current students about career opportunities.”
Jeff added that his students were very impressed by the industry turnout and many were overwhelmed by the volume of opportunities presented at the fair.
“We strive to deliver the highest quality training opportunities to our students,” he said, “and we could not accomplish this task without the outstanding support we receive from our industry partners!”
Industry partners at the Automotive Fair
- AAA Auto Parts/U Pull R Parts
- AASP
- Apple Autos
- Audi of Minneapolis and St. Paul
- Bobby & Steve’s Auto World
- Bridgestone Retail Operations
- Carousel Motors
- Coon Rapids Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram
- Costco Wholesale
- Delta Airlines
- Feldmann Imports
- Hastings Automotive Group
- Honest-1 Auto Care MN
- House Red Wing featuring Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Ford
- Inver Grove Toyota
- Luther Autos
- Maplewood Toyota
- Metropolitan Council (Metro Transit)
- Motorwerks BMW
- Park Chrysler Jeep
- Superior Service Center
- Tesla, Inc
- Walser Automotive Group
- Westside VW
- Zumbrota Drivetrain
Automotive Fair Fall 2023 gallery
View more event photos by visiting the DCTC Flickr album:
Automotive Career Fair Fall 2023
More about the Automotive Technician program…
As skilled professionals, automotive technicians accurately diagnose mechanical problems related to engine, transmission, fuel injection, suspension, HVAC and electrical systems. Students learn to maintain and repair engine, chassis, drive train, front-wheel drive, fuel injection, hybrid/electric drive and electrical and emission systems. Instruction involves classroom theory, demonstrations, computer applications and hands-on car repair.
The curriculum follows the standards defined by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation which ensures all training meets the highest standards. Students who graduate from this program will be able to work for independent repair facilities and dealerships in maintenance and light repair.
Accreditation
The Automotive Technician program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
Automotive Manufacturer Educational Partnerships
- Ford ACE Program
- Mercedes-Benz Campus
- Mopar Cap Local Partner School
- Subaru-U Partner School
- Toyota TECS (Technician Education College Support) Program
- Volkswagen Academy Public Access
Automotive Technician associate degree and certificates
Automotive Technician A.A.S. degree: 72 credits
Automotive Chassis certificate: 18 credits
Automotive Electronics certificate: 18 credits
Automotive Engine Performance certificate: 18 credits
Automotive Powertrain certificate: 18 credits
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Diagnose problems and repair cars and light trucks.
WAGE
Minnesota
Median: $24.40/hour
High: $30.42/hour
Seven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $25.21/hour
High: $31.45/hour
OUTLOOK
In Minnesota, there are 11,610 workers employed in this large career, which is currently in very high demand. There will be a need for about 12,783 new Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics to meet market demand between 2020–2030 This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
- Operate transportation equipment to demonstrate function or malfunction.
- Rebuild parts or components.
- Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
- Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Service heating, ventilation or air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or components.
- Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
- Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Adjust vehicle components according to specifications.
Typical Working Conditions
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Working in a closed vehicle or equipment.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Exposure to hazardous conditions.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Working with a group or team.
— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education (September 22, 2023)
Learn more about the Automotive Technician program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
