The Tech Shop program at the Bobby Dodd Institute teaches students fundamental troubleshooting and repair skills to help secure employment in the IT industry. The Department of Labor (DOL) indicates that the technology field will continue to steadily grow in demand through at least 2010. Job growth will be driven by the increasing dependence of business upon technology, and the subsequent need for maintenance and repair. IT job seekers with knowledge of electronics, as well as repair experience should be excellent, as employers report difficulty finding qualified applicants, according to the DOL. The six-month Tech Shop program answers that need by teaching students the building blocks of computer repair, from tools to materials to actual techniques, and will be taught using a mix of instructor-led discussion, textbook review, and hands-on experience. Approximately half of the time will be spent exploring the technical aspects of the daily lesson, and the other half to performance-based, computer-related lab activities. At the completion of this program students should be able to:

• Maintain a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies
• Perform basic installation and configuration of computer hardware and software
• Demonstrate problem-solving abilities by diagnosing and repairing computer problems
• Perform preventive maintenance on all computer components
• Understand basic computer networking
• Work with computer components, keeping electrical safety in mind
• Utilize the training and skills taught here, and attempt to become certified by taking CompTIA's A+ Certification Exam.