Goals for Participants
Build Practical Skills
We teach automotive repair, fabrication, 3D CAD/design, and safe driving fundamentals.
create
career pathways
We arrange short internships and partner with shops to offer experiences that teach interviewing, workplace expectations and real job skills.
Foster Responsibility
Through pit-crew roles, track events, and project builds students learn to plan, communicate and follow safety procedures.
Build integrity
We mentor students.
In all our activities we promote making one's own choices: owning these and addressing the consequences of those head on.
How our Values are taught
Hands-On mentorship
We provide real time coaching and modelling of the life-skills and values we promote throughout our regular programming.
Workplace
Experience
Teens see professional behavior, punctuality and teamwork first-hand from in real-world settings.
Professional Tours
Students go behind the scenes where business partners explain safety, ethics, and career pathways at all levels of motorsports.
ways parents can pitch in
Volunteer Your Time
Even if you’re not a mechanic, you can help support event logistics, assist at events, or judge project demos.
Transportation
Drive students to/from events or help chaperone track days and field trips.
Donate or fund specific needs
Help fund safety gear, tools, parts, event transportation, or set up a designated fund (e.g., driving fund, food fund, shop tool fund).
Spread the word
Follow and share posts on social media, talk with friends, or run a fundraiser (birthday campaign, matching gift).
Automotive Technician
Career Info
profession
Salary
Average annual salary (IL): $50,450
Average annual salary (Chicago-area): $58,340
Career Outlook
Automotive technician is a high-demand profession as retirements and increasing want for specialized skills drive hiring needs up nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that there will be over 70,000 job openings per year between 2024 and 2034.
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Salary data from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.)
pathways
Union / Non-Union Shops
Auto technicians may work in unionized or non-unionized shops with the majority going to non-unionized positions. In the Chicago area, union members join IAM Local 701
Dealerships / Independent Shops
Automotive technicians find employment and positive career opportunities working for dealerships as well as independent shops. Dealership mechanics specialize in their daily work as well as their ongoing training. Independent shop mechanics often work on a more diverse range of automobiles.
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Entrepreneur
Some automotive technicians build their knowledge and skills early in their career, and then go on to open their own shop or enter into franchise ownership (e.g. Midas, Jiffy Lube, AAMCO)
education
Automotive technicians typically need to obtain additional education after high school through a program in automotive service technology. These programs may be found at:
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Community Colleges
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Trade Schools
On-the-job training is common, especially early in one's career. Specialized training is encouraged and sometimes offered directly through a manufacturer-sponsored program.
For further info, see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and H2: How to Train for Industry Demands (from Automotive Mechanic Job Outlook 2026)
ASE Certification
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers industry recognized certification tests. ASE certification can be very helpful for hire at some shops, though not strictly required. ASE certification is often beneficial for promotion and higher pay. ASE test are considered highly challenging (many do not pass on the first try) and signify advanced skills and knowledge.
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Automotive technicians can take certification tests in individual areas of automotive repair as their training and preparation advance. Officially recognized ASE Master Technician status is awarded after passing all 8 required tests (A1-A8) in the Automobile & Light Truck series.
Ways to get in touch
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Membership form: complete the free membership form
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(minors require parent review/signature)
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Visit / Open Garage: Fridays (3:30 - 5:30) & Sundays (12:00–2:00 PM) Contact to schedule visits during regular meeting times.
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Phone/Text: 312-505-0964.
