Hobby to save money leads to lucrative career

"I've been taking things apart since I was about 4 years old," says Billy Davis. The 22-year-old Berg Motor Company service techinician is now getting paid for taking things apart! (Of course, he has to put them back together properly.) He's been on the job for a little over a year, and it all began with dual enrollment automotive technology courses at Lee High School (LHS).

The dual enrollment automotive technology partnership between Midland College (MC) and the Midland Independent School District (MISD) is the largest career and technical dual enrollment program in Midland. MISD students can begin taking automotive technology courses as early as the 9th grade for high school credit. Then in the 11th and 12th grades, autotech courses are offered for both high school and college credit. Students who participate in the dual enrollment program can graduate from high school with an MC basic automotive certificate.

When Billy Davis graduated from LHS in 2006, he continued his automotive technology studies at MC. The MC automotive technology lab is located at the MC Advanced Technology Center, and Davis spent a good part of his time at the ATC. He took automotive technology courses during the day and worked part-time as an evening lab assistant. He says, "I love cars, and I love saving money. That's why I enrolled in auto tech classes. I figured by knowing how to work on my own car, I could say a lot of money." He currently drives a 1991 Ford Mustang GT. During his spare time, he enjoys maintaining it in "mint" condition.

Davis explains, "These days, with so many of a car's parts computerized, it's almost impossible to land a job as a technician without going through a formal training program." He says that he sees all kinds of cars from sedans to sport cars to light trucks. No day is typical. Some days he finds himself knee deep in coupes and other times it's all SUVs. "Seventy to eighty percent of the work that we do at Berg requires 'mental' skills," continues Davis. "Everything in today's automobiles is computerized, and service techs have to diagnose a problem before we can actually fix it."

Automotive service technicians' responsibilities have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and their performance while on the road. This increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools. Technicians must have an increasingly broad knowledge of how vehicles' complex components work and interact. They also must be able to work with electronic diagnostic equipment and digital manuals and reference materials.

Davis says that the courses he took at the ATC gave him a solid foundation in proper tool use, automobile electronics and general vehicle components. He explains that MC Automotive Technology Program Director Ted Sumners and instructors Steve Hargrove and Daniel Garner were the focal point of the program while he was taking classes. "Mr. Sumners really pushed me to take myself to the next level," says Davis. "I'm glad he did. It helped me land my current job at Berg." Davis is paid on commission, which he likes. "The work you turn out is what you get paid for," explains Davis. He also receives paid vacations and health and life insurance.

Neal Barker, Berg service advisor, says that most of the service technicians at Berg earn almost $1,000 per werk. "It's a great profession. I've been in this business for a long time, and I've always had a job and made a good living. Cars aren't going anywhere; we will always need them," states Barker. However, he says that there is a shortage of automotive technicians. "Good ones who can work on today's sophisticated electronics are hard to find," continues Barker. "I'm glad we found Billy. He's doing a great job. He's smart and works hard. I wish we could find more like him."

Davis says that one day he hopes to own his own auto repair shop. In the meantime, he will continue to keep Berg customers satisfied with cars and trucks that run properly.