Auto dealerships are helping create good-paying local jobs by working with students, high schools and colleges to train much needed automotive technicians.

The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association in June provided $12,500 scholarships to 10 high school students to continue their automotive technology education and training at community colleges in Orange County.

The students graduated from High School Inc.

Automotive Academy at Valley High School in Santa Ana.

Three of these students, Raelene Lorenzana, Juan Orozco, and Eduardo Cortez, already have received offers of employment upon their high school graduation from South Coast Audi and Fletcher Jones Mercedes Benz, where they will be able to simultaneously learn on the job and in the college classroom.

“Today’s cars continue to utilize more modern and sophisticated computing technology and as a result, automotive technicians must be skilled at problem solving, electronics, mathematics, and computer technology to keep our cars running smoothly,” said John Sackrison, executive director, Orange County Automobile Dealers Association.

Orange County’s 122 new vehicle dealers employ more than 12,200 people with an annual payroll of $701 million, with the average employee earning over $60,000 per year, according to the OCADA 2016 Economic Impact Report.

OCADA recently hosted five informative career events at the five, local community colleges that have outstanding Automotive Technology departments to introduce new car dealers to more than 350 automotive college students, of which 25 have already been hired as automotive technicians.

Local high school automotive programs include Katella High School, La Habra High School, Loara High School, San Clemente High School Automotive Academy, Santiago High School, Sunny Hills High School, and High School Inc. at Valley High School.

Orange County’s auto dealers have supported these programs for more than two decades through scholarships and donations.

Established in 1938, the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association serves 122 franchised new vehicle dealers in Orange County. The association represents the interests of member dealers and strives to provide them with information and services that enhance their collective businesses. www.ocada.org