In addition to the future employment opportunities described on this page, be sure to take a look at the occupational outlook.  It has the latest information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the latest industry information.

If you'd like to learn more, you can email us at portageauto@hotmail.com.

The Portage High School Automotive program course of study is based on the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) eight service areas.  Each area is a course of study that may cover from as few as five weeks to as many as twelve weeks.  The areas of study are:

• Engine Repair
• Automatic Transmission/Transaxle
• Manual Drive Train and Axles
• Suspension and Steering
• Brakes
• Electrical/Electronic Systems
• Heating and Air Conditioning
• Engine Performance

In conjunction with the eight areas, the first nine weeks of the program deal with safety, tools, gas and electric welding, measuring, and the general service areas of exhaust, lube and oil, and cooling systems.

The automotive industry is constantly changing and growing.  The demand for qualified technicians is on a continual rise.  Portage High School has an outstanding program.  Students who complete the program have a great future in front of them.  The expectations are high for all who participate.  The success they have in the program is in direct proportion to the time they are willing to put into studying.  Most students go on to a two-year Auto/Diesel Technical school upon graduation from high school.  Because our program is so demanding they find studying easier than their fellow students and graduate in the top of their class.  The employment opportunities are tremendous upon graduation from these schools.  Nationally known businesses are constantly seeking out these individuals for employment.  The future in the transportation industry is bright for the individual who is willing to study and work hard.

Read what some current and past students have said about their experience in auto mechanics.

You can also check out some pictures of this year's students at work in the shop.

Junior Year

 First Nine Weeks

• Study the Automotive Service Trade
• Learn and Apply General Safety Practices
• Develop First Aid Skills
• Apply Related Math and Measuring
• Study Automotive Design
• Use Automotive Service Reference Materials
• Remove and Install Common Fasteners
• Use Common Hand and Power Tools
• Maintain Fluids and Lubricants
• Remove and Replace Seals and Gaskets
• Service Engine Cooling Systems
• Service Engine Lubrication Systems
• Service Engine Exhaust Systems

Second Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Engine Repair/Engine Repair Specialist

• Diagnostic Engine Condition
• Servicing Cylinder Heads and Valve Trains
• Removing Engines and Preparing for Disassembles
• Disassembling and Servicing Engine Blocks
• Assembling and Installing Engines

ASE Area - Electrical and Electronic Systems

• Apply Related Electrical Principles
• Electrical System Repair Requirements
• Electronic System Repair Requirements
• Lighting

Third Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Electrical and Electronic Systems Continued

• Driver Information Systems
• Horn and Washer/Wiper Systems
• Motorized Accessories
• Miscellaneous Electrical Components
• Battery Systems
• Starting Systems
• Servicing Batteries and Starting Systems
• Charging Systems

Fourth Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Engine Performance

• Servicing Fuel Systems
• Servicing Ignition Systems
• Servicing Emission Control Systems 

Senior Year

First Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Suspension and Steering

• Service Tapered Roller Wheel Bearings
• Service Steering Systems
• Service Front Suspension Systems
• Perform Pre-Alignment Inspections
• Adjust Wheel Alignment

Second Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Brakes

• Service Hydraulic Systems
• Servicing Drum Brakes
• Servicing Disc Brakes
• Servicing Antilock Brakes

Third Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Automatic Transmission/Transaxle

• Introduction to Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles
• Servicing Hydraulic System Components
• Service Rear-Wheel Drive Transmissions
• Servicing Torque Converter and Oil Pump
• Servicing Gear Train/Gear sets
• Servicing Friction Unites and Cooler
• Servicing Front-Wheel Drive Transaxles
• Diagnosing General Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Problems
• Testing Related Electronic Components

Fourth Nine Weeks

ASE Area - Heating and Air Conditioning

• Introduction to Air Conditioning
• Refrigeration Systems
• Air Conditioning Mechanical and Electrical Controls
• Heating Mechanical and Electrical Controls
• Heating Automatic and Semi-Automatic Controls

Future Employment Opportunities

• Salary Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

From the U.S. Department of Labor and the Indiana Career and Postsecondary Advancement Center:

Job opportunities in automotive technician occupations are expected to be very good for people who complete automotive training programs in high school, vocational and technical schools, or community colleges.  Persons with good diagnostic and problem-solving skills with training in electronics should have the best opportunities.  Automotive service technician careers offer an excellent opportunity for good pay and the satisfaction of highly skilled work with vehicles incorporating the latest technology.  Mechanics without formal training will face competition for entry-level jobs. The demand for auto mechanics will be due in part to the increase in the number of drivers. Also, more households will have multiple motor vehicles. In addition, complex auto technology will add to the demand for experienced mechanics. Changes in economic conditions have little effect on the automotive repair business. However, during a downturn, employers may be more reluctant to hire inexperienced workers.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 840,000 jobs in 2000. The majority worked for retail and wholesale automotive dealers, independent automotive repair shops, or automotive service facilities at department, automotive, and home supply stores. Others found employment in gasoline service stations; taxicab and automobile leasing companies; Federal, State, and local governments; and other organizations. About 18 percent of service technicians were self-employed.

Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase 15 - 20% through the year 2010.  Currently, more than 60,000 new technicians are needed every year.  The growing complexity of automotive technology necessitates service by skilled workers, which contributes to the growth in demand for highly trained mechanics and technicians.