Pub. 1 2019 Issue 1

Granite State Students Compete in Auto Tech Competition L ACONIA, N.H. — High school students across the Granite State took to Lakes Region Community College on Satur- day for the 2019 High School Auto- motive Technology Competition. Schools with automotive pro- grams compete to win money and earn the right to represent the state at the national competition. Students had to diagnose and fix problems on different cars, each with their own mechanical issues. “It’s a huge confidence builder. A lot of them are saying, ‘Hey. Wow. I’m actually really good at this,” said Vincent Fittante, an automotive instructor at Mascenic Regional High School. There is a job market for this industry, with high demand and low unemployment. “It’s a great pathway for the students to make a career, make a living out of it,” said Adam Mem- molo, a service manager for the Grappone Automotive Group. “You have to encourage your kids to find what their niche in life is,” said Dave Tucker, a parent who has a child in the competition. The New Hampshire Auto- mobile Dealers Associa- tion says the average starting wages for auto tech jobs is around $60,000. “In this career field right here in the auto industry, the majority of the techs are making anywhere from $80,000 or up,” said Jessica Dade, the assistant executive director of the New Hampshire Automotive Education Foundation. N E W H A M P S H I R E 7