CCSD Pathway Profiles - General Automotive Technology

Cherokee High School Career Pathway teacher Mark Lougheed works with students in his General Automotive Technology program, from left, Tyler Kershaw, Josue Patz-Velasquez and Oscar Lorenzo-Felipe.

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on General Automotive Technology, which is offered at Cherokee High School and Sequoyah High School.  Another automotive program, Transportation: Collision Repair - Painting and Refinishing, is offered at Etowah HS.  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

Mark Lougheed is driving students to a potential career path that also offers them valuable life skills.

As the Career Pathway teacher for the General Automotive Technology program at Cherokee High School, Mr. Lougheed teaches his students the basics of car maintenance and repair as well as advanced skills needed for automotive careers.

“I have spent more than 25 years in the automotive field.  I enjoy teaching and training others to show them there are opportunities in this field for a career with or without a college degree.  It allows them another choice to college or trade schools,” said Mr. Lougheed, who began teaching the program two years ago. 

Taylor Carter, who is considering a career in the automotive field or welding, said Mr. Lougheed’s class already has taught him valuable skills.

“The automotive Pathway has provided me with many hands on skills that I can apply to save money such as rotating tires, changing brakes and oil changes,” he said.  “I can get ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification from the Pathway and go straight to work when done.” 

Maintenance and repair of brakes systems is Mr. Lougheed’s favorite lesson unit to teach.

“Most people pay a lot to have this work done, and my students know how they can do their own instead of paying someone else to do it,” he said.

Within the Pathway, classes offered include: automotive technology I, II and III.  Students can earn Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and OSHA 10 industry certifications.  They can compete in SkillsUSA state and national career skills contests.

This Pathway prepares students for careers including, but not limited to: automotive master mechanic, automotive specialty technician, engine and other machine assembler, automotive technician builder, automotive general manager, automotive inventory control specialist, service manager, automotive parts associate.

The average income range for careers in this Pathway in Georgia is $42,000 to $180,000.  Local and area employers for this Pathway include, but are not limited to: Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Canton, Cherokee County Toyota, Christian Brothers Automotive, Bill Holt Mitsubishi, Sutherlin Nissan of Cherokee County, Krause Family Ford, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Woodstock, Carriage Kia, RBM of Atlanta, Hyundai Careers, U.S. Auto Sales, Jim Ellis Automotive Group, Tesla, Atlanta Harley-Davidson, Anthem Automotive, Rocco's European Garage, Amerit Fleet Solutions, Hutchinson Ford, Sports Car Service. 

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