New Community Corporation’s Automotive Technician Training was first offered to residents of Greater Newark, New Jersey, in 1996, though the program has undergone a good deal of change since it was first offered. With support from CareerWorks, the Greater Newark Workforce Funders Collaborative, the automotive program, which in 2013 had been dormant for two years, was revitalized. The partnership currently has 33 employer partners, including Ford Motor Company, Sansone Auto Mall, major brand area dealerships, and local automotive repair centers. Other partners include the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Newark and Essex County Workforce Investment Boards, the Urban League of Essex County, and TD Bank.

The 1200-hour course provides participants with industry-recognized credentials and the skills to acquire an entry-level position and quickly advance in their careers. Annual earnings can range anywhere from $25,000 up to $125,000 and employment projections suggest growth of roughly 20 percent for jobs in the automotive industry in the Greater Newark region between 2010 and 2020.