( Photo : Crawford students check out the latest in automotive technology. Ana Tintocalis/KPBS News .)
Crawford High School in San Diego revived its auto shop class today after years of neglect. Educators say the program will teach students a new set of job skills. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place in front of Crawford's new and improved automotive workshop. Community college officials and the local auto industry helped breath new life into the program.
Senior Amber Nieto is one of a few girls taking the class.
Nieto : I like building stuff, I like working with my hands. But I'm going more towards computer technician, which this is always good for it.
The class will now focus on automotive technology. Steve Ford is with the state's Automotive Youth Education System . He says virtually every car today is powered by electronics.
Ford : To be quite frank, what we need is not people who can pick up a wrench but people who can operate software and a computer and understand how to deal with electronics on the most sophisticated level.
Programs like this could reduce the auto technician shortage in California.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
