NCC Launches New Automotive Technician Program
New Automotive Technician program continues the college's expansion into skilled trades as the industry evolves.
LAS VEGAS, NV — Northwest Career College is expanding its skilled-trades offerings with the launch of a new Automotive Technician program. The program marks the college's second move into the trades, following the introduction of its HVAC program earlier this year.
The expansion comes as automotive work itself is changing. Today's technicians are entering an industry that spans traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrids, and a growing generation of electric vehicles. Alongside mechanical systems, technicians increasingly work with computerized diagnostics, electronic controls, sensors, and advanced safety technology. Electric vehicles introduce additional considerations, including high-voltage systems, battery performance, regenerative braking, and electric motors.
While electric vehicles generally require less routine maintenance than conventional vehicles, their growing presence is changing the knowledge technicians need to diagnose and service the vehicles on the road. The result is a profession that increasingly combines hands-on mechanical ability with electrical knowledge, diagnostic skills, and an understanding of rapidly evolving vehicle technology.
“The automotive industry has changed tremendously over the course of my career, from advances in engine technology to hybrids and now electric vehicles,” said Clayton Smitty, Automotive Mechanic Program Chair at Northwest Career College. “As vehicles have become more complex, technicians need more than strong mechanical skills. Understanding diagnostic software, electrical systems, and how to interpret the information a vehicle provides has become fundamental to the job. Our program is focused on giving students those strong shop foundations while preparing them to work with the technology they will encounter in the industry today and in the future.”
New federal workforce projections point to continued opportunities in the field. Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in August 2026 projects employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics to grow 5% from 2025 to 2035, outpacing the 3.5% growth projected across all occupations. That growth would add approximately 40,900 positions nationwide, while an estimated 66,200 openings are expected each year as employers also replace workers who retire or move into other occupations.
Several long-term trends are helping sustain the need for technicians. BLS expects the number of vehicles in use to continue rising, while Americans keep their vehicles longer and require service as they age. At the same time, increasingly sophisticated vehicle safety systems are creating demand for technicians capable of performing specialized calibrations and repairs.
For Northwest Career College, the launch comes amid growing national interest in skilled trades as career pathways for Gen Z and the next generation of workers. A 2026 study by the National Association of Home Builders found that interest in construction trades among young adults ages 18 to 25 doubled over the past decade, rising from 3% in 2016 to 6% in 2026. The findings reflect a broader shift in how younger generations are considering career options, as educators and employers place greater emphasis on introducing students to the full range of opportunities available after high school. NCC's continued expansion into the trades builds on that momentum by creating additional pathways for students to develop practical skills and prepare for fields that remain essential to the workforce.
No matter the field of study, Northwest Career College places a strong emphasis on helping students transition from the classroom to the workforce. Automotive Technician students will receive hands-on technical education alongside academic advising and dedicated Career Services support, including assistance with externship opportunities, career preparation, and job placement. By carrying that high-touch model into its skilled-trades programs, NCC aims to prepare students not only to complete their training but to take the next step toward building a career.
ABOUT NORTHWEST CAREER COLLEGE
Northwest Career College is a family-owned institution providing career-focused education and workforce training in Southern Nevada. Since 1997, the College has prepared students for in-demand careers through hands-on training in healthcare, business, legal studies, information technology, criminal justice, and skilled trades.
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