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68 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, September 22, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 15, 2004 Hugh Cleveland demonstrates a handheld diagnostic computer Wednesday for, from left, Eagle Point High School junior Joe Maurer, South Medford High School sophomore Schuyler Wilder, and Ashland High School juniors Spartak Arakelion and Stephanie Jones. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Auto shop kids see future Technicians from Lithia Motors give students a peek at where automotive technology is headed By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune In an industry that’s rapidly needing more qualified technicians, a local car dealer is trying to get local high school students excited about a future in automotive technology. Technicians from Lithia Motors brought the latest information to auto shop students at local high schools Wednesday. About 60 students from North and South Medford, Eagle Point, Ashland and Phoenix high schools attended the workshop to see auto technicians in action, ask questions and make future job connections. "This is to give them an idea of what’s coming in the future," Tim Ponzoha, technology arts instructor at North and South. In addition to its latest models of Jeeps, Dodges, BMWs and hybrids, Lithia brought some high-tech tools that school districts can’t afford to put in auto shops. Students toyed with hand- held scanners to read cars’ computer chips — an advance that has been the single largest change in the industry since high schools started offering auto classes decades ago, instructors said. "This is actually really cool because a lot of these cars ... you wouldn’t really know that kind of stuff," said Jon Volgarion, a North Medford sophomore. Advertisement Most students attending the technology workshop had an interest in becoming auto technicians and had completed classes that incorporated rebuilding a car engine. But students also heard from Lithia employees who represent "cleaner" aspects of the industry such as parts, sales and customer service. "Just to be able to talk to these people who have been doing this forever is awesome," said Erika Young, a junior at Ashland High. Young, an employee of Les Schwab Tire Center in Ashland, said she’s looking at a definite future in the auto industry, stemming from her interest in helping her father fix machines and working on her own 1973 Chevrolet pickup. "Lithia’s looking at the students here and saying ‘What kids are we interested in for our future technicians,’ " said South Medford instructor Dan Swanson. While schools tend to promote college, vocational employment promises increasing opportunities as baby-boomers retire, Swanson. To bolster local automotive technology programs, Lithia recently has revamped auto shops at North and South where several hundred students take auto classes. Lithia is now assisting Phoenix High School’s effort to start a program from scratch in the upcoming semester. A job in the automotive industry also gives high school graduates a chance to start making an income earlier than their classmates who go on to college, Swanson said. Salaries are more competitive than many would believe, he added. "I think a lot of people, if they realized how much money was in the car business, they’d have a coronary," said Greg Meier, service manager at Lithia’s Dodge store. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities