South Carolina – Mechanics these days earn a lot because they’re both skilled, but also scarce in South Carolina. They play a crucial role in keeping our cars running and supporting the local economy. However, not many young people are choosing this career path.
To address this, the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association (SCADA) teamed up with Midlands Technical College (MTC) to encourage more students to enter the field.
The program was introduced last year
Last year, SCADA introduced their South Carolina Auto Tech Development Program at MTC, leading to a successful collaboration. This initiative not only offers scholarships but also helps students find jobs and gives them a free toolset valued at nearly $10,000. Many MTC students have taken advantage of this, with eight already working as apprentices in local dealerships as of January 2024, and more expected to join soon.
These apprentices get to learn on the job at dealerships and in classrooms at MTC, gaining experience faster and earning money while they learn. After graduating, they can look forward to high salaries, often reaching over six figures with a few years of experience.
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The need for more automotive technicians is urgent. South Carolina has over 1,400 job openings in this field, a number that’s expected to stay steady for the next six years. If we don’t bridge this gap, the shortage will lead to higher repair costs and longer wait times for everyone in South Carolina.
