Motorsports Service Technician
School of Transportation Technology
Parkes Automotive Technology Center, Rm. 126 · (570) 320-2400, ext. 7924
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the placement rate for those who receive this credential?
- Why don't you offer a degree in Motorsports?
- How can I enroll in Motorsports?
- Can I receive advanced placement if I attended an automotive or collision repair vocational program in high school?
- Do I need my own tools? How much will they cost me?
Q: What is the placement rate for those who receive this credential?
A: Because it is not a degree or certificate program, Penn College does not keep records on those students who complete it. The courses are offered as electives that students may take for pleasure. Undoubtedly, some of those who have completed these courses work in the racing or high performance areas of automotive service, while others are involved in racing as a hobby.
However, if you are truly interested in motorsports as a career, you should be aware that in the field of motorsports, as in any professional sport, there are far more people who want to be on a professional race team than there are job openings for them. Make sure you ask about the placement rate of graduates to any school that offers you an education to prepare you for a career in professional racing.
Q: Why don't you offer a degree in Motorsports?
A: We offer the motorsports courses in the form of a competency credential because there is great interest in them among our students, and many of our students are interested in racing as a hobby. However, at Penn College our focus is on “degrees that work.” The degrees we offer in automotive service prepare you for a field where the number of jobs available significantly outweighs the number of qualified automotive technicians. Our placement rate in these programs is well over 90%. Virtually everyone who graduates from Penn College with one of these degrees will be able to find a job in the field of automotive repair.
Q: How can I enroll in Motorsports?
A: The Motorsports Service Technician competency credential is available to experienced automotive technicians and full-time students in a technical automotive program at Penn College. The courses in this program are not required for the technical automotive programs, but would be considered electives. Since the schedule for these automotive programs is already very full, you would probably have to take an additional semester or some summer classes if you decide to also complete the Motorsports Service Technician competency credential.
Q: Can I receive advanced placement if I attended an automotive or collision repair vocational program in high school?
A: We do not give advanced placement for the courses in the Motorsports Service Technician competency credential. All of the courses have prerequisites or co-requisites, so you would need to take these courses or receive advanced placement for them before signing up.
Q: Do I need my own tools? How much will they cost me?
A: We do require students to purchase their own starter set of tools and a toolbox in which to store them. A tool list is available from the Automotive Technology Web site. Tools may be purchased through our College Store, or you may buy them elsewhere. The College Store supplies industry quality tools at a substantial discount. The required set, purchased from the College Store, will cost around $1,700.