As a woman, when I think of automotive school and automotive repair, I think of men in coveralls, working in a high-tech environment, fixing cars and engines. But there is more to Automotive School than that. In comes Ladies Auto School. I recently came across a site called Master Mechanic Erin Mills. Bjorn Holm, owner of Master Mechanic Erin Mills, launched Auto School for Woman – Girls Can't What? over two years ago This workshop empowers women by teaching automotive repairs and maintenance.

According to the website, the workshop stresses on three points:

1. To empower women to be confident behind the wheel.
2. To educate women about the importance of regular maintenance
3. To promote road safety.

This workshop shows female customers that servicing your vehicle or taking it in for repair can be a positive experience. The website states that 89% of women told the Car Care Council, an aftermarket trade group, that they feel they're treated differently by mechanics because of their gender.

I know not all of my experiences at the service department have been positive and hopefully this seminar will catch on and expand to other places so that more women can learn to have some knowledge when it comes to the act of automotive repair and service.

If you are lucky enough to live close to the Mississauga area and want to participate in this workshop. Click here for more information on how to sign up! http://www.mastermechanicerinmills.com

What is Ford FACT? FACT stands for "Ford Accelerated Credential Training". The Ford Motor Company has teamed up with Universal Technical Institute to offer the Ford FACT elective. This great relationship between UTI and Ford Motor Company can to fruition back in January of 2000. This FACT elective is offered at all Universal Technical Institute campuses including NASCAR Technical Institute. With Ford FACT you will get Ford Service Technician Specialty Training (STST) credentials upon graduation. This training is the SAME training that automotive technicians receive at Ford's very own regional training centers!

With the Ford FACT elective, students get the quality UTI programs coupled with the Ford Motor Company Curriculum. Students will learn to work on Ford Motor Company vehicles, have Ford technical resources and diagnostic equipment at their fingertips. At graduation you will have the confidence that comes with having a quality education as well as an accelerated entry into your automotive career.

Because Ford Motor Company is one of the largest producers of cars and trucks, they need auto technicians that are qualified and committed to professional excellence and excel in training. As a graduate of this exciting program you will enjoy a career working on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products as well as immersing yourself in industry-leading automotive service technology. You will also enjoy being a part of the Ford Motor Company Technician Recruitment Programs and exclusive membership in Ford's Professional Technician Society, reaping the additional rewards.

Get more information about this exciting Ford FACT elective today and accelerate your career in the automotive industry.

This article is part of a series of articles showing trends in Auto Industry. With the exception of one peak, you can see that the Auto Mechanic Industry is on a steady rise as far as growth.

Auto Mechanic Growth Trends

This graph shows the number of job postings that indeed finds in the specific area of automotive technology. As you can see there hasn’t been much of a dive do to the economy. In fact, automotive technology remained strong when other industries became heavily affected. This shows a solid and strong industry.

Auto Mechanic Salary Trends

As for salary, apart from a spike in the Summer of 2005, there is a rise hidden in the normal flux of the graph. Salaries are on the rise for Automotive Mechanic Technicians. And with the demand going up, this puts anyone that wants to get an education now and be ready to enter the Automotive industry, in an excellent position for the future. If you are interested in finding an Automotive school that is right for you, visit autoschoolguide.com to find out how!

The auto industry as of late is on a down turn for new car buying and you've no doubt had your friends and family ask why you would ever want to work in the automotive industry at a time like this. I would ask you why if at any time in your life would you not take this opportunity to get an automotive education from one of the many accredited schools offering automotive, diesel, collision repair and refinishing, marine, or motorcycle training when more consumer then ever before are keeping their cars longer.

The good news for you is that when consumers purchase less new cars in a recessionary period they also tend to keep their cars longer and thus older cars require more maintenance and up keep. Consumers will forgo many things, but when it comes to their car, keeping it running and on the road is a necessity for most. While it's true some consumers will decide to make their own repairs, the majority will look to dealers and more importantly independent shops that provide lower cost services and high quality technicians.

Thus, the decrease in new car buying will lead to more work opportunities for those looking to become highly trained automotive, diesel, auto body, marine and motorcycle technicians.

Of course you're concerned with dealers going out of business, but for those that weather the storm the opportunities for auto techs will only increase and so to will the number of independent shops. So really there is no better time then now to consider changing careers or investigating attending one of the top automotive schools.

Eric Benjamin, AutoSchoolGuide.com – 7/08/2009

You've decided that a career in the automotive industry is an option for you and you're ready to take the next step, so ask the experts. Start with talking with automotive industry employers and you might just land your dream job and/or score a fully paid education or partial scholarship with one of the top automotive schools. Stranger things have happened.

If you're considering working in a specific area, like your local home town or even if you're thinking of relocating for your automotive career, consider contacting a couple of area employers (car dealers and independent auto shops) to ask them what they look for in a technician and their opinions on auto career training courses and schools.

In addition, by contacting area auto employers you can get insights into job opportunities with the perspective employer and create the all important introduction before completing your automotive training. This is one of the best things you can do. There is also a little unknown fact that some very select few employers who have a hard time finding skilled and trained technicians will actually off set the cost of your training and pay a portion if not all of your education costs, if you're willing to sign an agreement that you will return and work for a set period of time for the employer.

Here's a couple of general questions to start the conversation should you consider contacting a local area auto employer. First ask to talk with an individual that can give you some insights like the service manager, hiring manager, or a technician. These individuals should be able to give you the most insight into planning your career path.

Auto Industry Employer Introduction:

* Hi, I'm considering a career in the auto industry and in the process of selecting a school to attend and would like to ask you (hiring manager, service manager, or technician) a couple of questions.

General Auto Career Path Questions:

• How important is it to you for a mechanic to have an education from an accredited automotive school?
• Are you familiar with A Automotive Institute, B Technical College, or C Trade School?
• What can you tell me about their reputations and would you suggest attending one of the schools?
• What do you look for in a (Auto Tech, Auto Body Technician, or Mechanic) and how important are certifications and credentials like ASE? Or I-CAR (Collision & Refinishing Specific)?
• What was your career path into the auto industry and what might you suggest to an individual like me looking to become a trained automotive technician?
• What's your opinion of the automotive industry and where do you see the future career opportunities and career paths for an individual like me?
• Are you currently hiring any new auto techs or have plans to hire any additional technicians in the near future?
• Do you find it difficult to find skilled technicians and would you consider hiring me after completing my education? (Optional – Consider the person your talking to if you decide to ask the following question, but what could it hurt.) If, YES – Would you consider sponsoring a portion of my training and education at an accredited automotive school if I was to work for you?

These questions should better help you understand what potential employers in the automotive industry are looking for and how they got their start as engine mechanics, auto body specialists, lead auto techs, service managers, etc. Take note of the connections you've made thus far and consider calling on a few more. The more connections and relationships you can build in the automotive industry, whether it's with friends, family, alumni, dealers, or independent shops the wider your potential network and opportunities for jobs become once you've completed your formal automotive education.

Eric Benjamin, AutoSchoolGuide.com – 6/25/2009

What is the Chinese word for 'Hummer'? I guess now the appropriate pronunciation is "Han Ma" meaning "Bold Horse"

It was announced in June 2009 that Sichuan Tengzhong, Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. was buying the General Motors Corp. section. But this company, which is only four years old and has 4300 employees don't make passenger cars, but produce construction vehicles, power equipment and building materials. Heavy Equipment is the name of the game and what will this mean for Hummer?

Hummer has always had a dual identity. People either love it or hate it. The environmentalists always targeted the 5 ton vehicle for its gas consumption, others love the automobile modeled after U.S. Military Vehicles that roamed during the 1st gulf war, giving it that 100% American feel. Will Hummer lose their appeal to those fans that love them if there car is make by Communist China?

Tengzhong will keep production of Hummer in the U.S. and also keep existing management. The Company plans to invest in research to create a more fuel-efficient vehicle in the future. Plans to launch a 'aggressive global expansion' is also in the works.

Questions still abound about this mystery company and the takeover. Details, company background and financial information are cloudy at best. Could the Chinese military have funded the takeover? Tengzhong and GM aren't giving up the details.

China and its booming economy could save Hummer. But is it such a good idea to be selling of America to the Chinese piece by piece? And since GM got government funding should Americans have a say in what happens when a car company sells off part of itself to the Chinese?