Wharton County Junior College Automotive Technology students demonstrate an engine trainer at the Wharton campus. A Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant will enable the program to purchase additional trainers and hydraulic lifts to provide students with more cutting-edge opportunities. Pictured, from left, are Automotive Technology students Scarlet Casas, Stacie Anderson, Alexa Ortiz, Alejandra Hoyos and Olivia Miller.
WHARTON, TEXAS – A career training grant will provide new opportunities for Wharton County Junior College’s Automotive Technology program. Through the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) grant, WCJC will receive more than $316,000 earmarked for students enrolled in the automotive program.
“As Texas’ economy continues to grow, it is critical that we invest in our future workforce,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “This $15 million in career training grants will support career and technical training programs for thousands of Texas students across our great state.”
Awarded through the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the JET grants are intended for equipment purchases and upgrades that will assist career and technical education (CTE) programs across the state. Junior, state and technical colleges, along with school districts, were awarded some 60 grants totaling more than $15 million. It’s estimated that the new equipment will help train more than 6,900 students for employment in high-demand occupations.
For WCJC, the funding will be utilized for hydraulic lifts, a tire balancing machine, a tire mounting machine, and a variety of electronics and engine trainers.
“This funding brings in new opportunity and training on today’s vehicles,” said WCJC Automotive Technology Program Director David Voulgaris.
WCJC’s Automotive Technology program provides hands-on training in all automotive maintenance and repair, including engine work, electrical systems, brakes, the proper use of tools, diagnostic equipment and technical manuals. The program is based on Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) standards and prepares students for ASE certification tests. A one-year certificate and a two-year associate’s degree are offered at the Wharton campus.
After completing the program, students can find careers as entry-level automotive service technicians or mechanics. Median pay is roughly $48,000 annually, or nearly $23 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Visit the college’s website at wcjc.edu for more information.
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