Auto Mechanics Curriculum: Preparing for the Job of the Future
While taking a driver’s education class in high school, as part of the curriculum, a man insisted that his daughter take a basic auto mechanic class. They fought for weeks over this class. It was unnecessary. It was ridiculous. After all, she was a girl. After many verbal discussions, she took the class and enjoyed it, using her knowledge many times over.
Years later, it became clear why the man wanted his daughter to take this class. Someday, his car would break down. The motor club could not always come to his aid. Roadside assistance is not always available. Especially when the breakdown occurs in the middle of the desert. A person could wait hours for help. That could be dangerous. It was important to know how to fix the basics on your own.
When she became a mother and her teenage daughter was ready to learn to drive, it was her turn to fight to take the class. The mother insisted and her daughter gave in. Turns out, after much arguing, the student really enjoyed it. Since she had no “head” for business, fashion, math, English, or any other subject, it seems the only thing she excelled at was fixing cars.
After taking all the core classes the school had to offer, the student’s instructor suggested a transfer to the local high school that offered full vocational technical programs. The transfer took place and over the next two years he took various classes such as basic tune ups and troubleshooting, tire rotation and balancing, transmission repair, engine repair, fluid transfers for oil and transmission fluid changes, and air conditioning. , among others. Upon graduation from high school, the student became a licensed auto mechanic.
For this young woman, that was not enough. She wanted to specialize in foreign cars. That required a whole new set of classes. Thus she began her enrollment at the local vo-tech college. She another two years and she got her AS degree in Automotive Mechanics. She was able to fix anything on wheels. However, as in any industry, evolution takes place. The new hybrid vehicles are already on the market and the electric car is just around the corner. She continues to educate herself to maintain the high level of experience needed for the cars of the future.
Auto mechanic classes can help a student with their future. To become a mechanic, one must learn problem-solving skills. Mechanics is a process. This is life. You can’t put gas in a car that doesn’t have an engine. Such is the same with life. One step at a time.
For students struggling in school, vocational technology classes and auto mechanic classes have historically been extremely challenging. Their chances for success were once different from the mother and daughter who took auto mechanic classes and prospered.