Democrat and Chronicle staff and wire reports

(Sunday, February 3, 2002) -- Despite the tight labor market, many auto technician, financing and sales jobs could go begging in the next few years unless parents and educators start steering teens toward the sector.

Only 2 percent of 600 teens recently surveyed by Automotive Retailing Today said they would choose a career in the industry.

But Jim Willingham, chairman of the McLean, Va.-based auto manufacturing and dealer coalition, says many don't realize that the field not only offers economic security but job satisfaction and nonstop learning. He added that auto technicians can make up to $100,000 a year.

"The day of the 'grease monkey' is dead," Willingham says. Most people don't understand that the industry has changed drastically... . It's an employee's market and will be for the foreseeable future."