Lex La-Ray Technical Center is the home of nine Career and Technical Education programs approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each program is designed to provide students with the hands-on skills and industry knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen career fields. With a focus on both technical expertise and professional development, these programs offer students real-world experience, certifications, and pathways to further education or immediate entry in to the workforce.

The Program Advisory Committees play a vital role in ensuring that our programs are aligned with industry standards and workforce needs. These advisory committees are typically composed of industry professionals, educators, business leaders, and community stakeholders who provide guidance and support to CTE programs.

Twice a year, the committees review curriculum for relevant, up-to-date skills and knowledge. They provide input on the latest trends, technologies, and labor market demands. They assess tools and equipment and make recommendations for improvements to ensure students are trained on current industry-standard technology. They also review the effectiveness of the program, ensuring student competency, certification, and employability. They ensure that certifications and credentials offered align with industry requirements. They help us establish relationships between programs and local businesses for job shadows, internships, and apprenticeships.

If you are interested in serving on a program advisory committee, please contact us.

Check student grades, attendance, and more using the email address on file at LLRTC.

Lex La-Ray's handbook is available at www.lexr5.org. Please review the welcome letter that was sent home at the beginning of the year and review policies if needed. We appreciate your partnership to ensure student safety!

Few career fields have undergone as much transformation over the past decade as Automotive Technology. The technical aspects of car manufacturing have almost made the word “mechanic” obsolete. The word “technician” has emerged because of the training that is necessary to work in today’s automotive field. Older cars primarily required mechanical work, but modern vehicles are equipped with advanced technology, computer systems, and complex emission controls that demand technical expertise. As a result, today's automotive professionals need substantial training in both mechanical and digital systems to service modern vehicles.

The Automotive Technology Program fully educates students in the fundamentals of the automotive trade so that they can advance rapidly within industry or begin businesses for themselves. Lex La-Ray Technical Center's course is structured to provide basic entry-level skills in safety brake systems, electrical systems, suspension and steering, and engine performance. Students learn automotive technology with up to date curriculum and diagnosing vehicles in a lab area. Students may earn ASE certification.

The instructor for Automotive Technology is Mr. Rodney Wolken. Mr. Wolken attended the Automotive Technology Program at Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City, MO. As a student, he participated in an internship with a local shop which led to his six year career as an automotive technician. He has been an instructor for 23 years.

Automotive Technology students can often be found in the shop working on customer vehicles. Some of their favorite skills to practice are:

Tune-ups on customer vehicles

Working on older vehicles

Operating the alignment rack and using it for multiple purposes such as oil changes, tire rotations, alignments, inspections

Patching tires and using the tire changer

Disassembly

Seeing how things work

Having all the right tools and up to date equipment

Bringing in their own vehicles for repair

The rapid advancements in Automotive Technology over the past decade have reshaped the industry, making it more reliant on highly skilled technicians who possess both mechanical and technical expertise. The Automotive Technology Program at Lex La-Ray Technical Center is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and hands-on experience they need to thrive in this evolving field. With a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from brake systems to engine performance, and the opportunity to earn ASE certification, students are well-prepared for successful careers. Under the guidance of experienced instructor Mr. Rodney Wolken, students not only gain foundational skills but also develop a passion for the trade through real-world practice in the shop. Whether it's performing tune-ups, operating advanced equipment, or learning the intricacies of modern vehicles, students leave the program ready to begin their career in the automotive industry.

Website: https://www.lexr5.org/o/technicalcenter or www.lexlaray.com
Location: 2323 High School Drive, Lexington, MO 64067
Phone: 660-259-2264
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LLRTC