Competition encourages next generation of auto technicians

There is a major shortage of people who know how to fix vehicles. By 2030, there is an anticipated shortage of 40,000 auto technicians.But there are efforts underway to change those numbers, including an event focused on encouraging the next generation.High school students took part in the Pennsylvania Automotive Association’s automotive technology competition.Each team started with a new car that’s not operating the way it should.”They create some issues, and you have to go around and find all the problems and fix them,” said Josh Carpenter of Downingtown.Teams had 90 minutes to complete the task. They had to do it by the book.”The critical thing is not only do they have to find those bugs, but they have to go back to a computer and look up service information. It’ll tell them step-by-step what to do to repair the vehicle,” judge Don Lookenbill said.The teams may require a part to fix their cars, so they headed to the parts department to get what they needed.”We got it all back together, got the parts we needed, and it was really fun. I had a great time,” said Vincent Frenrich of York.The competition put the best auto tech students in the Susquehanna Valley up against one another.It’s not just the top vote-getters who end up winning.”Dealerships that are here, they’re also potential employers who get to see the cream of the crop and maybe hire some of these students,” scorekeeper Rene Galvez said.”Training for all this and doing all this out here gets me set up for the real world,” said Tyler Dietz of York.The competition is giving teams a head start as they gear up for their future.”I’m so excited for it. I can’t wait. I love working on cars,” Frenrich said.The top team receives scholarships, trophies and tools.

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