Students at Prosper High School are learning to use shop tools and vehicle lifts in a garage classroom that feeds directly into a career field short 76,000 technicians nationwide.

The automotive technology program, one of three signature career and technical education (CTE) tracks in Prosper ISD, puts students to work under the guidance of teacher Vincent Seymour. Eagle Nation Online, the school's student newspaper, profiled the program Wednesday, Sept. 30.

Senior Wali Olufeko told the student paper he walked into the class with no shop experience. "I didn't know anything about a lift or any tools when I first came into this class," Olufeko said. "Now I know a lot."

The program sits alongside JROTC and construction technology as Prosper ISD's three signature CTE offerings, according to the district's website. The district's 2025-26 course catalog lists automotive technology under the Business and Industry endorsement pathway approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Prosper High's autotech students have tested those skills in regional competition. At the 6th Annual North Texas Automobile Dealers (NTXAD) Auto Tech Competition, held in December 2025 at Texas Motor Speedway, students Easton Ruhter and Zachary Martinez advanced to Phase II. That round required hands-on diagnosis and repair of pre-assigned vehicle problems. More than 60 teams competed for scholarships and tools, according to the NTXAD competition page. The competition also tested students on measuring instruments, vehicle service information and job interview skills.

NTXAD estimates dealerships need 76,000 trained automotive technicians nationwide, with many of those openings in North Texas.

Demand for CTE programs across Prosper ISD has surged. The district saw 40% growth in CTE enrollment over two years, and in the 2023-24 school year more than 82% of high school students were enrolled in CTE courses. Students earned over 1,800 industry-based certifications recognized by the TEA that year, Community Impact reported in January 2025. Prosper High School enrolls 3,753 students in grades 9-12 across a district of more than 31,000 students and 30 schools.

Julie Anderson, Prosper ISD's director of CTE, said in a January 2025 school board presentation that the district's new career academies reflect its commitment to preparing students for high-demand careers while they are still in high school. Anderson was speaking about the district's broader CTE expansion, which includes the autotech track at Prosper High.

Prosper ISD has not announced enrollment deadlines or open-house dates for the 2026-27 autotech program cycle.