--- title: Solving the Auto Repair Technician Shortage with DVI-Ready Graduates description: See how Monterey Peninsula College is training job-ready auto repair techs using AutoVitals’ digital vehicle inspections and real-world learning. image: https://blog.autovitals.com/hubfs/Template%20(23).png --- (866) 949-2848 support@autovitalsinc.com - - - - [mailto:support@autovitalsinc.com](mailto:support@autovitalsinc.com) - [tel:866-949-2848](tel:866-949-2848) [![Autovitals](https://blog.autovitals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/AutoVitals_May2020/images/AV_Monotone_Black_Full_Lockup.png?width=500&height=300&name=AV_Monotone_Black_Full_Lockup.png "Autovitals")](https://www.autovitals.com/) × - [The Digital Shop®](https://www.autovitals.com/the-digital-shop/) - [Solutions](https://www.autovitals.com/solutions/) - [Find My Solution](https://www.autovitals.com/solutions/) - [Sell More Work Per Inspection](https://www.autovitals.com/solutions/digital-vehicle-inspections/) - [Run at Peak Efficiency](https://www.autovitals.com/workflow/) - [Your Shop in the Digital Age](https://www.autovitals.com/the-digital-shop/) - [Best Practices](https://www.autovitals.com/best-practices-2/) - [Best Practices Library](https://www.autovitals.com/best-practices-2/) - [The Digital Shop® Talk Facebook Forum](https://www.facebook.com/groups/AutoVitalsPartners/) - [The Digital Shop® Conference](https://www.autovitals.com/conference/) - [The Digital Shop® Talk Radio](https://www.autovitals.com/radio/) - [The Digital Shop® Online Summit](https://www.autovitals.com/onlinesummit/) - [Support](https://www.autovitals.com/contact/) - [FAQs](https://www.autovitals.com/faq/) - [Contact Us](https://www.autovitals.com/contact/) - [About Us](https://www.autovitals.com/about/) - [Our Team](https://www.autovitals.com/about/) - [Press](https://www.autovitals.com/press/) - [Careers](https://www.autovitals.com/careers/) - [Schedule a Demo](https://www.autovitals.com/schedule-a-demonstration/) ## The Digital Shop® Blog # Solving the Auto Repair Technician Shortage with DVI-Ready Graduates [AutoVitals](https://blog.autovitals.com/author/autovitals) Aug 13, 2025, 9:00:00 AM The technician shortage affects every auto repair shop across the country. Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) is stepping up to meet the challenge. Led by James Lawrence, [MPC’s Automotive Technology program](https://www.mpc.edu/academics/career-academic-pathways/applied-technology/automotive-technology.html) is developing highly trained, job-ready auto repair technicians by training them directly on [AutoVitals](https://www.autovitals.com/solutions/digital-vehicle-inspections/), the industry’s leading digital vehicle inspection platform. # **Real Cars, Real Work: MPC’s Hands-On Approach** Unlike traditional programs that rely heavily on simulators or trainer equipment, Monterey Peninsula College puts students straight to work on real vehicles. From the beginning, students are immersed in hands-on, project-based learning that reflects what they’ll experience in the field. “We try to do as much hands-on, project-based education as we can,” James explained. “In every class, whether it's engine repair, transmissions, or brakes, we have them doing real stuff. We don't typically use trainers. We have them work on real cars.” That experience includes working on customer vehicles every Friday. “Students can bring in their own cars, but they also do work on cars from faculty members and the community,” James said. Spots for this service book out a month in advance! This live-shop model reinforces real-world skills, responsibility, and readiness for employment after graduation while also providing a valuable service to the local community. # **Preparing Students for the Tools Shops Actually Use** To make sure students are ready for today’s shop environment, MPC teaches them how to perform [digital vehicle inspections](https://blog.autovitals.com/digital-vehicle-inspection-best-practices) using AutoVitals. It’s a key part of the curriculum and reflects the shift the entire industry is making away from paper-based inspections. “This was our first intro into DVI,” James said. “We needed to follow the industry. So we went from paper and pencil inspection forms to DVI.” Students adapt quickly to the system. “If they haven't been doing the paper and pencil inspections, it's obviously easy,” he explained. “In my eyes, it's much simpler and ends up with a more accurate inspection.” # **Career-Ready Technicians That Shops Want to Hire** At MPC, AutoVitals DVI is built into the full repair process and integrated with the shop’s point-of-sale system, giving students exposure to real workflow tools they’ll encounter in the field. The system has become a core part of the student [technician](https://blog.autovitals.com/what-automotive-technicians-are-looking-for) experience. “It's pretty seamless in the sense that the students are learning the DVI system at our program, and then when they go into the industry, they're clearly doing something similar,” James shared.  That hands-on familiarity gives students a major advantage. “You're starting with the digital vehicle inspection, and from my perspective, it's a lot more user-friendly,” James shared. Features like drop-down menus that allow students to choose from a list of options make the process “much simpler and you end up with a more accurate inspection.” By working in a setup that mirrors what they’ll see in professional shops, MPC students build confidence using both the inspection tools and the workflow systems that drive modern auto repair. # **Addressing the Auto Repair Technician Shortage with Education and Technology** With the auto repair industry facing a nationwide [technician shortage](https://blog.autovitals.com/overcoming-the-technician-shortage), programs like MPC’s play a critical role in supplying the workforce with qualified, digitally capable techs. By using AutoVitals, MPC ensures students learn exactly what today’s shops need, from inspection efficiency to customer-facing communication. “We try to keep it as real-world as we can,” James said. “That’s where AutoVitals fits in. It’s driven by the industry. It wasn’t my idea. It was the industry telling us that this is the direction we needed to go.” ## Read On ### [How Digital Inspections Can Help Recruit Great Automotive Technicians In auto repair, the demand for skilled automotive technicians in the United States has reached a...](https://blog.autovitals.com/recruit-great-automotive-technicians-dvi) ### [5 Ways to Improve Your Shop’s 2024 Technician Recruiting Strategy The automotive industry isn’t just facing a technician shortage—they’re facing a technician crisis....](https://blog.autovitals.com/5-ways-to-improve-your-shops-2024-technician-recruiting-strategy) ### [TVP Update: New Tools and a Focus on Basics AutoVitals recently released an updated version of the Today’s Vehicle Page (TVP). Fred Haynes,...](https://blog.autovitals.com/tvp-update-new-tools-focus-on-basics) ### Posts by Topic - [Digital Shop (47)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/digital-shop) - [auto repair shop (44)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-repair-shop) - [automotive shop management software (31)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/automotive-shop-management-software) - [Auto Shop (29)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-shop) - [Autovitals (29)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/autovitals) - [DVI (29)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/dvi) - [shop management (25)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/shop-management) - [workflow (18)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/workflow) - [Digital Marketing (17)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/digital-marketing) - [BCP (16)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/bcp) - [CRM (15)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/crm) - [auto repair shop marketing (15)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-repair-shop-marketing) - [Staff Buy-In (14)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/staff-buy-in) - [Best Practice (13)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/best-practice) - [aro (13)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/aro) - [Consistency (11)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/consistency) - [Digital Vehicle Inspection (11)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/digital-vehicle-inspection) - [Process Change (11)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/process-change) - [Tech (11)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/tech) - [service advisor (11)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/service-advisor) - [COVID-19 (10)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/covid-19) - [KPIs (10)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/kpis) - [Shop Culture (10)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/shop-culture) - [Websites (10)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/websites) - [AutoVitals News (8)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/autovitals-news) - [Integration (8)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/integration) - [Website (8)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/website) - [automotive shop software (8)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/automotive-shop-software) - [Announcement (7)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/announcement) - [Automotive Technician (7)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/automotive-technician) - [Press Release (7)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/press-release) - [Partners (6)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/partners) - [auto repair marketing company (6)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-repair-marketing-company) - [auto repair shop SEO (6)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-repair-shop-seo) - [New Features (5)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/new-features) - [auto repair services (5)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-repair-services) - [best auto repair software (5)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/best-auto-repair-software) - [Coaching (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/coaching) - [Customer Reviews (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/customer-reviews) - [Paperless (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/paperless) - [Reviews (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/reviews) - [auto shop management (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-shop-management) - [multishop (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/multishop) - [smartflow (4)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/smartflow) - [Automotive Technician Shortage (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/automotive-technician-shortage) - [DRIVE Shops (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/drive-shops) - [Digital Shop Conference (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/digital-shop-conference) - [Industry Events (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/industry-events) - [Meineke (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/meineke) - [NAPA (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/napa) - [Shop-Ware (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/shop-ware) - [auto parts inventory (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-parts-inventory) - [auto shop efficiency (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-shop-efficiency) - [automotive repair invoice app (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/automotive-repair-invoice-app) - [creative (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/creative) - [drop off (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/drop-off) - [training (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/training) - [web based auto repair software (3)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/web-based-auto-repair-software) - [Automotive text messaging (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/automotive-text-messaging) - [Bookkeeping for auto repair shops (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/bookkeeping-for-auto-repair-shops) - [Case Study (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/case-study) - [POS (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/pos) - [Picture Edits (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/picture-edits) - [Protractor (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/protractor) - [Recruiting (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/recruiting) - [RepairPal (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/repairpal) - [TeE-Times (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/tee-times) - [The Digital Shop Talk Radio (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/the-digital-shop-talk-radio) - [inventory management (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/inventory-management) - [loyalty (2)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/loyalty) - [Auto mechanic interview questions (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-mechanic-interview-questions) - [BayIQ (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/bayiq) - [Building a Bench (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/building-a-bench) - [Campaign Manager (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/campaign-manager) - [Canned Jobs (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/canned-jobs) - [Community (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/community) - [GMB (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/gmb) - [Guided Inspection (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/guided-inspection) - [Hiring (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/hiring) - [Interview (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/interview) - [MRT (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/mrt) - [Motorist Approval (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/motorist-approval) - [Q&A (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/qa) - [Remote Work (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/remote-work) - [Service Writer (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/service-writer) - [TVP (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/tvp) - [Tekmetric (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/tekmetric) - [The Digital Shop Summit (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/the-digital-shop-summit) - [Who's in our shop? (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/whos-in-our-shop) - [auto parts (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-parts) - [auto repair shop financing (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/auto-repair-shop-financing) - [best auto repair shop websites (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/best-auto-repair-shop-websites) - [estimate (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/estimate) - [financing (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/financing) - [inflation (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/inflation) - [marketing plan (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/marketing-plan) - [parts catalog (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/parts-catalog) - [pricing (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/pricing) - [retention (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/retention) - [script (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/script) - [social media (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/social-media) - [social media marketing (1)](https://blog.autovitals.com/tag/social-media-marketing) see all ### Subscribe to our blog [Back To Top](https://blog.autovitals.com/solving-the-auto-repair-technician-shortage#toTop) [![AV Monotone](https://blog.autovitals.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/AutoVitals_May2020/images/AV_Monotone_White_Full_Lockup-1.png?width=1085&name=AV_Monotone_White_Full_Lockup-1.png "AV Monotone")](https://www.autovitals.com/) **AutoVitals**The automotive industry’s leading provider of integrated solutions for internet marketing, motorist engagement and customer retention. ### Contact Us **Phone:** (866) 949-2848 **Email:** sales@autovitalsinc.com **Facebook:** @AutoVitalsUpdate - - - - ### Solutions [**DVI.X**Digital Vehicle Inspections](https://www.autovitals.com/dvi-x/) [**SmartFlow.X**Workflow Management](https://www.autovitals.com/smartflow-x/) [**Digital Shop.X** Inspections, Workflow, Website, & CRM](https://www.autovitals.com/digital-shop-x/) ### The Digital Shop® [Best Practices Library](https://www.autovitals.com/best-practices-2/) [The Digital Shop® Conference 2021](https://www.autovitals.com/conference/) [Digital Shop® Talk Radio](https://help.autovitals.com/podcast/) [Digital Shop® Online Summit](https://www.autovitals.com/onlinesummit/) [Schedule a Demonstration](https://www.autovitals.com/schedule-a-demonstration/) ©2026 AutoVitals, Inc. - [Home](https://www.autovitals.com/home/) - [Solutions](https://www.autovitals.com/solutions/) - [Support](https://www.autovitals.com/contact/)