The Mail-Journal, Volume 6, Number 10, Milford, Kosciusko County, 9 April 1969 — Page 20

From Grease Monkey to Technician Book Reviewer Cites Growth Os Auto Service Man’s Status

AIM FOR A JOB IN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE, by Dawson Taylor and James Bradley; Richard Rosen Press, Inc; 138 pp. * * * The days have passed when the automobile mechanic was called a grease monkey and ranged low on the occupational ladder. Today, with the automobile being an increasingly complex machine, tremendous skills and thorough training are required. For the man servicing your modern car, the term technician is more appropriate than mechanic. One indication of how the auto service man’s stature has risen is the advent of this volume by Dawson Taylor and James Bradley. Taylor is an auto dealer as well as a writer. Bradley is the Director of the Automotive History Collection at the Detroit Public Library. So it is with authority that the authors approach their subject. In describing auto service careers, the authors point out that there are 33,000 franchised car dealers, 72,000 general repair outlets and 200,000 gasoline service stations that have technicians on their payroll. One automotive firm estimates that it will need 29,000 technicians this year to replace normal personnel losses

_- ■ ~ JL i iwfilß I ,|IIK wImB I Mill J I drive: in —* drive out MHETHIS J LIKE THIS Let us restore ybur car to like-new shine and sparkle! Dents smoothed out, roofs refurbished, touch-ups or complete repaint and repolish jbbs. Give your car that showroom glow. (COLLISION WORK A SPECIALTY) Bud’s Body Shop '• Headquarters for Car Renewal Jobs LOCATED ON WEST CHICAGO STREET PHONE: 457-3037 SYRACUSE, IND.

Tx A Aim for a Job in Automotive Service .tames J, Bradiey and Oawson Taylor Ik . Ofix v JBw* rM at its dealerships alone. As for earning potential, “Service technicians’ wages compare favorably with those of other skilled trades and should continue to do so in the future.” In a survey taken by the authors, wages of S2OO or $250 or more were offered in newspaper ads. Some technicians interviewed were earning around $15,000 a year. A technician’s job is a stepping stone to business ownership. “Many a successful dealer or independent businessman can trace his start back to experience as an automotive service technician,” they state.

With the great demand for qualified technicians, more firms are offering technical training, often at no cost to the trainee. Many high schools offer automotive shop training and some schools devote entire curricula in automotive technology. Qualified graduates of these courses usually receive several offers each from repair facilities to come to work as trainees. On-the-job education often involves advanced courses at training schools, paid for by the companies. All major auto makers have such training schools. Independent organizations like the Independent Garage Owners Association (IGOA) also have training facilities with individual garages, often paying tuition for trainees. In additiorkindividual firms who make specialized automotive components offer training courses in their specialties. These courses are free of charge. “Aim For A Job In Automotive Service,” is another addition to Rosen Press’ Aim High vocational series. It should answer virtually all questions about the field to those interested in a potentially rewarding job.

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Sports Car Roar From Sedan May Signal Trouble Has your family sedan started to develop a sports car “rap”? Instead of taking it to Watkins Glen or Lemans, better check your exhaust system.

* B L ' » J I V -~ ■ B f ss ■ wH r ™ W wfe-i '• AAA 24-HOUR, ROUND THE CLOCK Wrecker Service ’ u ', rai ">c« t ■■■ Auer’s Service Station 201 E MAIN SYRACUSE. IND. Phone: 457-3939

That deep-throated roar under the chassis undoubtedly means your exhaust system is defective. Not only might it earn you a traffic ticket for making too much noise but it could mean a death sentence for you and your family. A leaky exhaust is a potential source of lethal carbon monoxide.