The parking lot of Manchester Community College resembled an auto show Tuesday as part of an effort to get more high schoolers interested in the automotive industry.Students from North Conway to Salem turned out for the auto industry career day. Organizers said that as with most trades, there’s high demand.”There’s about 400 openings right now in the auto tech field within New Hampshire,” said Pete McNamara, president of the New Hampshire Automobile Dealer Association.McNamara said there are jobs available in every section of the state. Depending on the field students choose, they can make a good living from the beginning.”Average wages starting out is about $70,000, and you can work your way easily into the six figures,” McNamara said.While Manchester Community College hosted the event, all five of the state’s community colleges were represented and each one has a specialty. Nashua, for example, specializes in collision and auto body repair, while Great Bay has a motorcycle program.”I think the students are going to be really excited about some of the advanced technology we have today,” said Kate Amrol, workforce development coordinator for NHADA. “The industry is on the cusp of some really big change, and I think students are excited to find out how that’s going to affect their future career in this industry.”For students who are concerned about the cost of attending college, there are scholarships available, along with other opportunities.”They do job co-ops, so they’re actually employed at one of the dealerships, so they’re working making a paycheck while they’re in school,” Amrol said.There are many jobs available in the automotive industry, and one instructor said he hopes his students will get a sense of direction by attending the event.
The parking lot of Manchester Community College resembled an auto show Tuesday as part of an effort to get more high schoolers interested in the automotive industry.
Students from North Conway to Salem turned out for the auto industry career day. Organizers said that as with most trades, there’s high demand.
“There’s about 400 openings right now in the auto tech field within New Hampshire,” said Pete McNamara, president of the New Hampshire Automobile Dealer Association.
McNamara said there are jobs available in every section of the state. Depending on the field students choose, they can make a good living from the beginning.
“Average wages starting out is about $70,000, and you can work your way easily into the six figures,” McNamara said.
While Manchester Community College hosted the event, all five of the state’s community colleges were represented and each one has a specialty. Nashua, for example, specializes in collision and auto body repair, while Great Bay has a motorcycle program.
“I think the students are going to be really excited about some of the advanced technology we have today,” said Kate Amrol, workforce development coordinator for NHADA. “The industry is on the cusp of some really big change, and I think students are excited to find out how that’s going to affect their future career in this industry.”
For students who are concerned about the cost of attending college, there are scholarships available, along with other opportunities.
“They do job co-ops, so they’re actually employed at one of the dealerships, so they’re working making a paycheck while they’re in school,” Amrol said.
There are many jobs available in the automotive industry, and one instructor said he hopes his students will get a sense of direction by attending the event.