2 more initiatives to address need for more auto technicians

This week, NVI Institute Blairsville, NAPA Auto Parts and Universal Technical Institute all announced their latest efforts to help auctions, dealerships and other vehicle repair operations that are all in great need of trained technicians.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand remains strong for skilled technicians nationally, with the estimation there are approximately 110,000 total new openings each year for automotive, diesel, and collision repair technicians nationally through 2030, including net employment changes and net replacements.

In response, NVI Institute Blairsville is launching what it called “innovative, accelerated” programs in auto and diesel technology to get technicians on the job more quickly and to address critical shortages of skilled workers.

NVI Blairsville’s first six-month sessions for aspiring auto and diesel technicians begin Jan. 3.

By focusing on the essential skills sought by employers, NVI said it can cut students’ expenses and the time it takes to start work.

“A student in the program here at NVI is going to be put through the diesel or auto technology course in six months and be ready to hit the ground running,” said Adam Duplin, diesel program coordinator at the training location in southwest Pennsylvania. “In developing the school, we worked with teams of employers who told us exactly what they are looking for in a program.”

As mentioned, demand for auto and diesel technicians is high. At the same time, NVI pointed out that technician salaries now rival or surpass those of some graduates of four-year colleges and universities.

The goal for NVI is to help employers address shortages in skilled workers while helping students position themselves to take well-paying jobs in long-term careers with major automotive, truck, and heavy equipment suppliers and dealers.

“You can walk out of high school, graduate in June from high school, start here in July and be done by December and be working in January in the field,” NVI automotive program coordinator Jack Fetsko said in a news release. “Every repair or manufacturing facility right now is looking for technicians. You can make a really good living at it.”

NVI bought the now-remodeled and updated former WyoTech Blairsville campus. The company said it employs “proven, industry experienced instructors well acquainted with the hallmark industries that will be served by NVI graduates.”

NVI insisted that its instructors go well beyond a core education, also teaching “soft” skills that help people function well in a workplace, at home and in their communities.

“Our instructors are equipped to give students the necessary soft skills to deal with an employer or an angry customer, and how to prepare a resume, for example,” Duplin said.

NVI is actively seeking students who are in high school, considering a career change, not interested in a traditional college education, or completing military service.

NAPA Auto Parts & Universal Technical Institute form new strategic alliance

In other training news, Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and NAPA Auto Parts (NAPA) said they have joined forces to support the future of those seeking careers in the transportation and aftermarket auto repair industries.

NAPA has become the preferred UTI auto parts supplier, which includes its NAPA Autotech training program that will be available to faculty.

NAPA said through a news release that it will supply essential parts for hands-on labs, including brake kits, rotors, bulbs, bearing kits, wheel weights and more. The initial stage of the partnership will impact UTI, MMI and NTI-branded campuses and may be expanded to MIAT-branded campuses in the future.

With this partnership, UTI and NAPA aim to help meet this demand by providing access to the necessary supplies for on campus training and connections with NAPA customers.

“We are thrilled to bring in a partner like NAPA Auto Parts to provide our students, staff and alumni with greater access to quality auto parts through one of the country’s premier providers,” UTI chief executive officer Jerome Grant said in the news release.

“Like UTI, NAPA has a passion for educating and supporting individuals as they enter into a career path in the transportation industry,” Grant continued. “NAPA has worked closely with UTI for years, and we know they will be an active and engaged partner.”

NAPA president Kevin Herron added, “We admire UTI’s commitment to providing state-of-the-industry training to the next generation of skilled automotive technicians.

“We are proud to support the industry by providing training and supplying quality automotive parts to the talented UTI staff, students and graduates,” Herron went on to say.