Over the next three years, the San Diego Workforce Partnership forecasts the region's need for automotive service technicians and mechanics to grow by 8 percent. This makes sense when you stop and think that the Department of Motor Vehicles estimates there are over 10 million cars registered in Southern California.
Fortunately, the San Diegans in Continuing Education’s Automotive Job Training/Certificate Program are training in the largest automotive technology skills center of its kind in the nation. The Program was recently recognized by Tomorrow’s Technician magazine as one of the top four programs in the nation for its short-term job training, use of technology, LEED-certified facility, and state-of-the-art equipment.
Continuing Education provides first-rate instruction, and relies on industry partners to help keep skills and curriculum relevant to the industry. “The Auto Tech Industry Advisory Committee serves as the direct link between what students need to know to gain employment in the field, and what we’re teaching in the classroom,” says Jane Signaigo-Cox, Dean of Career and Technical Education.
Mark Oberlies, President at Auto Strategies, LLC (a company that creates custom business growth strategies for select automotive industries), serves as the chairperson for Continuing Education’s Auto Tech Industry Advisory Committee. “The combination of classroom teaching and hands-on experience gives students a real competitive edge in a difficult job market,” said Oberlies.