When I read about young people working and competing to be automotive mechanics, I get a good feeling. I was telling Brian of GotTransmissions.com that the average age of a mechanic is 43 years old. Infusing new, intelligent young mechanics in the field is of prime importance. It sure has changed a lot since the days of being called a grease monkey. We play with computers to research problems and get to use really cool high tech diagnostic equipment. Tools that require extensive training classes and years of practice to use.

High school juniors and seniors in Alaska are geared up for the “America’s Next Top Auto Technician” contest on Saturday.

Students from five schools across the state competed in the state finals at UAA. They raced the clock to identify and fix problems intentionally installed on cars.

Organizers say there’s a shortage of good, trained auto techs in Alaska and throughout the whole country.

This contest gives the Ford Motor Co. a way to recruit new technicians.

The winner will actually receive a quite sizable scholarship from Ford Motor Co. to go through their training program, and at the end of that training program they’ll be a fully fledged trained Ford technician.

After fixing the cars, students had to drive their vehicles across the finish line, where judges take a look at accuracy and workmanship.

GotTransmissions.com Blog loves to hear about young people invading the auto repair industry and bringing some smart, young people into it. Like I said, a mechanic is way more than being a grease monkey now. Wrenching on modern transmissions is now different than becoming a doctor. Realizing there are less learning institutions for mechanics make it even more difficult. Don’t sell a good mechanic short. He may be as smart, well trained and just as good as using his hands as a surgeon. It pays well too.