The 6th Annual North Texas Automobile Dealers (NTXAD) Auto Tech Competition at Texas Motor Speedway set a new benchmark for workforce development in automotive retail. With 64 schools participating, the largest turnout in event history, dealers played a central role in connecting students with real career opportunities and showcasing the strength of the retail automotive industry.
Hosted by NTXAD, the two-day event tested students’ diagnostic and repair skills while giving them direct access to dealership leaders and hiring managers. The competition also featured a career fair where OEMs and dealer groups demonstrated the technology and tools shaping today’s service departments.
Why This Matters for Dealers
The technician shortage remains one of the most pressing challenges for dealerships nationwide. NTXAD President C. Brent Franks emphasized the urgency:
“If we had 1,000 certified technicians today, we could place them within a week. The technology in cars is so advanced that demand for skilled workers has never been higher.”
Events like this competition are more than a showcase; they are a pipeline for talent. Over the past two years, 139 former participants have been hired by North Texas dealerships, demonstrating that dealer engagement in workforce initiatives yields measurable results.
Dealer Impact and Industry Support
Dealers attended the event, meeting students, sharing their career paths, conducting job interviews, and reinforcing the message that retail automotive offers high-paying, stable careers without the burden of college debt.
Rep. David Cook, who attended the event, echoed this sentiment:
“Programs like this offer direct pathways into strong careers. Preparing young people for the future benefits everyone.”
2025 Champions
- 1st Place: Klein Cain High School – Avery Elijah, William Wilson, Samuel Rosalez
- 2nd Place: Hollenstein Career & Technology Center – Garrett Reeves, Kain Elmore, Giovanni Sanchez
- 3rd Place: Allen High School – Collin College – Adrian Mendoza, Erik Camargo, Jose Mejia
Winning teams received Snap-On tools, scholarships to NTXAD’s Fast Track Automotive Technician Training Program, and recognition at a luncheon attended by dealers and industry leaders.
