FAIRFIELD — The days of Goober taking a look under the hood are long gone. Today’s auto experts are more technicians than mechanics and need to know how to navigate the Internet as well as an engine block.

“We have a real mix of students here,” said Ted Hensley, automotive technology instructor at Butler Tech. “We have some who come here just because they’re interested in the program and we have others who grew up working on cars with their dads and are already pretty good technicians.”

Hensley said the competition is pretty stiff to get into the program, and the biggest factor under his consideration is what employers look for most: Reliability.

“When (an employer) calls here for a reference, the first thing they ask about isn’t grades, but attendance,” Hensley said.

Beyond that, today’s mechanics need to have strong reading comprehension skills because they have to be able to read how to do something, then turn around and do it, Hensley said.

And they need to have a passing knowledge of computers.

“Your average car today has about nine (computer) modules that communicate with each other,” Hensley said. “High-end European cars can have as many as 14 modules connected by a buss, and when you turn the key, they all communicate with each other.

“So we have to teach them to get into all of these systems.”

Just as important, students have to learn to respect an automobile that may be someone’s pride and joy — and an expensive one, which is one reason why there is a growing demand for good auto technicians.

“We’re not talking about throw-away appliances,” Hensley said. “That’s why the service industry is alive and well,” and why his students usually have jobs or apprenticeships lined up even before they graduate.

The Butler Tech Automotive Technology program has about 45 students, according to Assistant Principal Jason Chilman, and the instruction includes real-world auto repairs.

People can bring their cars in for the shop to work on, but only if the repairs fit into the curriculum at the time, and only if you’re not in any hurry to get the car back.

“We only work on them for two hours a day,” Hensley said.

But they do have a state-of-the-art shop built on the recommendations of an advisory board that meets twice a year to help set the curriculum as well as equipment purchases.

The shop also gets community help form organizations like the Antique and Classic Car Club of Butler County, which donates entry fees and other proceeds from the annual parade to provide “tool kit” scholarships to students who need a little help.

“A good took kit can cost around $800,” Hensley said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.