March 23, 2021—A community college in Illinois is offering a stipend and free tools to incentivize prospective students to come to their school and enter the auto repair industry, the Daily Herald reported.
Qualified registered students will receive a $2,000 stipend and $1,200 worth of tools for attending Triton College's Automotive Technology Program.
The stipend comes from a $1 million Workforce Equity Initiative (WEI) grant from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) that provides job training to in-district residents.
"There is definitely a shortage of automotive technology specialists across the U.S. and the demand for trained auto technicians is high," Triton College Commercial Vehicle Technology's teacher Gary J. Machonga told the publication. “Graduates of this program receive a two-year degree and can find a position in automotive technology right away anywhere or go on to get a four-year degree in automotive technology at schools like Southern Illinois University where, I believe, they are currently developing an automotive technology master's degree."
