GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – It’s all gas, no brakes for some employers in the automotive industry.
That’s why Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College hosted its second annual Automotive Technology open house event.
“It’s about 100% if you want a job you’re going to have a job. Basically, what we’re seeing is employers coming in and they choose to hire our students,” Monica Donahue said, who is the Dean of Teaching and Learning.
Opportunities range from careers in automotive technology, collision repair, paint and body, or maritime multicraft.
“There’s a huge demand for diesel technicians right now. 100% of my students that are wanting to work are actually employed before they finish my program and working part-time with an industry partner,” instructor Benjamin Bowman said.
Students at the Harrison County Campus can complete automotive technology or collision repair courses in as little as 10 months.
Even during that time, they pursue internships or apprenticeships.
“They are actually working at the dealerships, on-site, with our industry partners as interns, part-time while they are in school. Or, we also have a model called an apprenticeship model where they are actually in their second and third semester spending two days in class and that leaves them the rest of the time to actually be on-site at the dealerships working and refining their trade, getting mentors from industry as well as in-class instruction,” Donahue says.
Benjamin Bowman is a heavy-duty diesel instructor and teaches about commercial trucks and heavy-duty construction equipment.
Bowman was once a student in these same courses.
“Coming through the program and getting that tangible proof that I know what I’m doing opened a lot of doors for me, it got me a lot better paying jobs and a lot nicer places to work,” Bowman says.
Students could also learn more about scholarships and financial aid available for both courses.
Current or future MGCCC students interested in automotive careers are encouraged to enroll for the spring program as soon as possible to beat the waitlist.
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