Ever since MiraCosta College began offering an automotive technology program in the 1970s, the courses, tools, and equipment have changed to reflect changes in the industry.

But the space in which the program has been taught remained the same. Until now.

With the recent close of MiraCosta's auto body program, the college's growing automotive technology program will utilize that now-vacant area, bumping up available classroom and lab space from 6,590 square feet to 11,597 square feet. The new space will house four additional vehicle racks, computer wheel balancers, four-wheel-alignment computers, brake bays, measuring tools, work benches, a dynomometer for testing vehicles' horsepower and pollution levels, a new tool room and a lecture/classroom area. The conversion of the auto body area into auto tech space is expected to be complete by spring 2003, but students are already using portions of the addition this fall.

"It's a whole new world," says automotive technology instructor Terry LaCroix, surveying the new space. "In the past we've had to turn away students because so many wanted to enroll. This will really help."

The extra space means more sections of automotive technology credit classes are now being offered, along with a new, tuition-free noncredit course--Basic Automotive Tune-Up for English as a second language students, to be taught Fridays, 6:45-9:45 p.m., Sept. 5-Dec. 19. Students may enroll in a single course or work toward a certificate in automotive technology. And for students seeking immediate employment, it's an excellent career choice.

"There's a huge need, a dirth of technicians," says LaCroix, noting that the pay in the field ranges from $30,000 to $120,000. "People are seeking more employees than there are graduates."

Full-time students in MiraCosta's credit auto tech program pay just a few hundred dollars a year for courses. At private trade schools, students pay about $16,000 a year.

For information about automotive technology at MiraCosta, contact LaCroix at (760) 757 2121, ext. 6354. For information about the new noncredit Automotive Tune-Up course for English as a second language students, call (760) 795-8710.