AAC giving high schoolers another option after graduation

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) – The American Auto College is giving high school students another option after graduation if traditional college isn't their preferred route.

Similar to Career Technical Education, the AAC gives students a hands-on learning approach to train a new generation of Automotive Technicians.

The program is given at Tadd Jenkins Auto Group in Blackfoot. With high demand for Auto Techs, they believe this program is a great way to prepare students for the career and keep them out of college debt.

The three-year course allows students not only get paid for their work, but the partnering dealerships, like Tadd Jenkins, are paying the costs of tuition and training.

The Bureau of Automotive Repair reports the demand for technicians is high. It nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021.

The AAC in Blackfoot began in 2022. Their first group of students are finishing up their first year in the program.

AAC Program Coordinator Greg Black says, "I think our biggest obstacle in admissions so far has been families... view this as too good to be true so they don't think it's actually the case. They don't understand how their student would have to pay $30,000 plus to go to a technical school, yet they can come to us to work for free."

They are accepting applications now for the fall.

For more information and to apply, CLICK HERE.