RHINELANDER - The cars we drive are getting more complex every day. It's tough on mechanics, but soon, it will be tough to find a good mechanic at all.

That's because fewer students are interested in studying auto repair. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says our nation's demand for auto mechanics is growing- At the same time technicians are retiring faster than the industry can draw in recruits.

"My son himself isn't interested in it, even taking over the business from dad, he's more into the computer gaming stuff than mechanical stuff," says Todd Nelson, Owner of Hodag Express Lube.

That's the same sentiment seen in students across the U.S., but northern Wisconsin seems to be an exception.

"We have strong enrollments in the program, we actually almost were to the point of a wait-list earlier this August," says Chris Kolasa, a Nicolet Auto Instructor.

The Automotive program at Nicolet Technical college has twice as many students this year as they did 4 years ago. And for those students, job prospects are high.

"A technician coming out of the Nicolet training school could just about get a job at any garage, anywhere in the country," says Nelson.

Which is good news for the auto industry and better news for students. They can expect a starting salary of around $30,000 after graduation.

Story By: Kailey Burton