Automotive education typically takes the shape of an automotives class in high school or an automotive technology program – one in which learners are prepared for technical, mechanical and supervisory roles in the automotive industry.

As a car museum, Klairmont Kollections of course has a vested interest in encouraging and promoting growth in this field. 

But why should other people care? What makes automotive education important?

We’re glad that you asked.

Encourages critical thinking.

Critical thinking… it’s one of those skills that’s touted as invaluable. A skill that employers in every field want their employees to have. But… what is it, exactly? And how does automotive education help encourage it?

Critical thinking is defined as the “objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form judgment”. Simply put, it’s the ability to effectively analyze information and form a judgment.

So how does automotive education play into this? It’s simple. Every part of automotive work requires critical thinking skills.

Whether automotive professionals are asking questions and gathering information to make a diagnosis, whether they’re documenting information after work has been completed, or whether they’re communicating with coworkers, classmates, or customers, all of these tasks require critical thinking skills.

Helps build confidence.

Confidence can help us feel like we’re ready and able to take on life’s experiences, making it an important skill to develop and strengthen. One of the easiest ways to develop confidence is by learning a new skill – something that automotive education makes possible.

According to Psychology Today, self-confidence is linked to almost every element involved in a happy and fulfilling life.

The automotive field is filled with ways to learn and practice said learning, making it the perfect way to build up confidence. Whether it’s something as simple as finally being able to identify a car part or something more complex like being able to diagnose and repair a car issue, automotive education provides ample opportunities for confidence building.

Helps bridge the gap between academic and vocational programs.

Automotive education serves as an option for people who otherwise might not have seen themselves furthering their education. This field in particular helps bridge the gap between academic and vocational programs – showing individuals that there are options available for people who may not see themselves going down the “traditional” education path.

Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum is incredibly passionate about this particular topic – this is why we’re working to partner with both colleges and high schools to teach kids and young adults alike about their options in the automotive industry!

(Don’t believe us? Check out our social media, where we’re highlighting the high school interns who just finished up their 4 month internship with us!).

Allows for the preservation of automotive history.

The only way that automotive history can be preserved is by having automotive mechanics who know how to service and repair cars of the past – and the future!

Car museums and collections across the world would not exist without skilled automotive mechanics who can ensure that the cars are taken care of. How else would it be possible for us to pass down the history and heritage of so many beautiful automobiles?

Without skilled professionals to work on these cars they would be lost to time – and overtime, their history would be lost with them.

There is no shortage of reasons why automotive education is important and should be taught and invested in. The four reasons that we listed today only scratched the surface of the importance of this field, but we hope that they helped you think about this field in a different way.

At Klairmont Kollections Automotive Museum, investing in automotive education is more than just an idea – it’s something that we put into practice every day. We foster a love and appreciation for automobiles and automotive education by partnering with high schools to host interns, partnering with Mecum Auctions to provide schools across the Chicagoland area with free field trips to our museum, and by partnering with colleges and universities in the Chicagoland area.

1. “3 Reasons to Have Automotive Classes in High Schools.” Midwest Technology Products, January 18, 2024. https://www.midwesttechnology.com/blog/3-reasons-to-have-automotive-classes-in-high-schools/.
2. Atc. “3 Ways to Apply Critical Thinking in Auto Industry Careers.” Automotive Training Centre, May 10, 2024. https://www.autotrainingcentre.com/blog/3-tips-applying-critical-thinking-skills-careers-auto-industry/.
3. Markway, Barbara. “Why Self-Confidence Is More Important than You Think.” Psychology Today, September 20, 2018. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shyness-is-nice/201809/why-self-confidence-is-more-important-you-think.
4. Valentine, Ashlee. “Car Ownership Statistics 2024.” Forbes, March 28, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/car-ownership-statistics/#:~:text=National%20Car%20Ownership%20Statistics%20at%20a%20Glance,-A%20total%20of&text=91.7%25%20of%20households%20had%20at,least%20one%20vehicle%20in%202022.
5. WrenchWay. “Why Automotive Skills Need to Be Taught in High School.” WrenchWay, February 29, 2024. https://wrenchway.com/blog/why-automotive-skills-need-to-be-taught-in-high-school/.