Recently, much of the dialogue in the media surrounding employment has centered on opportunities for those with the desire and ability to attend college. However, there are many career opportunities that don’t require a college degree and can be just as lucrative, if not more so, than many careers that need a degree. The automotive repair is one such industry, and it’s growing at an exponential rate. So, if you’re hoping for a fulfilling and successful career without a college education, here are some reasons why the auto repair industry might be the right place for you.
It’s growing – fast
The automotive service industry is growing, for several reasons. The first is that more cars are being sold. As the population grows, more people end up needing vehicles to travel and go about their daily lives. With more people using their vehicles, and in many cases, keeping their vehicles for longer, more people end up visiting businesses like auto repair shops more often. This leads to growing opportunities for people with the skills to repair vehicles and keep them on the road for longer. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the automotive repair industry will grow at a rate of at least 9 percent in the coming years. This translates to massive growth, and plenty of opportunity for career success.
You’ll always have a job
With its report on the automotive repair market growth, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the gap between the number of open jobs and the number of people qualified to fill them will be huge. With technicians retiring and the industry growing, as many as 237,000 jobs in the industry could open up. Over half the automotive repair technicians in the U.S. are on track to retire within the next 7-10 years, and current data show that stores are struggling to find younger people to employ. This is a massive space, where you could fit. With this many open opportunities, it can be much easier to find a job, because it becomes an employees’ market.
You can earn as much as those with bachelor’s degree
The same source estimates that the median salary of an automotive repair technician is around $38,470 a year. This is a similar wage to people who graduate with a bachelor’s degree in interior design, credit counseling or social work. The training required is typically only two years at a community college or technical school. In addition, the skills you gain starting out in an automotive repair shop can be a stepping stone to something bigger. People who begin their career as a repair technician can gain the skills and experience that are needed to eventually open their own business. Indeed, this is the route many Moran Family of Brands franchisees have taken, with overwhelming success!
If you’re looking for a career change, or searching for post-high school options that don’t include college, automotive repair is a great choice! Moran Family of Brands is hoping to introduce more young people to the auto repair business through the debut of its Future Auto Tech internship programs. Moran franchises will be hosting localized advanced learning and experience programs to help students who are hoping to enter the auto repair business. These programs will be open to high school students, as well as students currently in or graduating from vocational schools. Keep an eye out on the Moran Family of Brands site to watch for this program, and see if it comes to a location near you!