Kokomo-area juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry have an opportunity to participate in Chariot Automotive Institute’s Automotive Technician Education Pathway (ATEP). The program allows students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology from Ivy Tech Community College.

The classes take place at Chariot Automotive Group’s Button Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram location, where students will spend the first hour in Button’s classroom learning the concepts crucial for effective automotive technicians, followed by two hours in the lab implementing these teachings through hands-on training. Classes would begin August 20 and are typically from 8:15-11:15 a.m. Monday through Friday.

This summer, juniors and seniors at the following high schools are encouraged to reach out to James Woolf, Workforce Development Specialist, at jwoolf@chariotautogroup.com if they’re interested in applying:

Northwestern High School, Kokomo High School, Western High School, Eastern High School, Taylor High School, Maconaquah High School

James works directly with the schools’ guidance counselors and helps students and their families by answering questions and walking them through the application process.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of automotive technicians and mechanics is projected to grow three percent from 2023 to 2033, with 67,800 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.