The city of Tampa has launched a new initiative to tackle its growing shortage of automotive mechanics. According to Fox 13 News, the GEAR UP program is designed for the younger generation, giving students hands-on experience repairing and maintaining city-owned vehicles – including police cars and emergency response units – all funded by the city.
The program is a collaboration with Hillsborough Community College, costing the city around $13,000 per student each year. Participants receive 15 hours of hands-on training per week, working on roughly 3,900 vehicles that keep the city running daily.
“They service close to 3,900 vehicles that are used by our city team each and every day,” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said. “First responder vehicles, fire, police, and everything else, water, wastewater.”
Building Experience Under the Hood
Perhaps one reason for the shortage is that many young people no longer view automotive work as an appealing career path, often due to concerns about pay. On the other side of the country, California has taken similar steps, launching a tuition-free, paid two-year apprenticeship this year to draw more young people into the field…