Driving forces at camp

(CNS): It was not all fun and frolics at summer camp, and for some 20 young people camp helped prepare them for a future in the auto industry. Targeting youngsters between 12 to17 years old, the Auto Mechanics Camp lasted for one week at the George Hick’s PACE High School, facilitated by the National Roads Authority (NRA). The workshop covered a range of topics including the installation of automobile accessories such as windshield wipers, tires and rims, and bulb changing. The class also covered safety issues and simple repairs, analysis and parts replacement.

NRA  Fleet Manager and camp class facilitator Michelle Motta said the camps are a way of guiding young people’s interests towards careers in the auto industry. “Despite the industry’s struggles worldwide,” Motta said, “the business of automobile mechanics presents youngsters with a whole host of careers, many of which remain quite lucrative.

“It’s about learning the language of the industry. Although sales are down, auto repairs are increasing since people always need to have their cars fixed. Plus there is car part sales, an area which is still pretty lucrative,” she added.

 Motta noted that technological advances have added glamour to the business, contrary to the traditional perception of ’greasy’ mechanics. “Being a mechanic is no longer necessarily a dirty job; a single piece of equipment, the diagnostic machine, now makes it possible for you to learn what is wrong with a car without taking it apart or getting under it,” Motta explained.

Thirteen-year-old Alex Balls said he enjoyed the summer camp tremendously and as a big fan of rally racing something he is aiming to become involved with in the future, he was fascinated to learn about turbo engines, specifically the differences between a turbo and a twin turbo engine.

At 14, Ahmed Myles sensibly thinking ahead said he was sure that learning how to fix a car would save him repair and service costs in the future.