The Mount Vernon City School District is expanding opportunities for students interested in the auto industry.

Students at the district's new alternative high school, Rebecca Turner Academy, will now get access to a partnership with Ford and Rockland Community College that aims to get kids high-paying jobs right out of high school.

"We are going places," said Mount Vernon High School Principal Pauline Pearce.

It was just last year the high school started its Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) program, allowing kids to intern and work at Scarsdale Ford.

"In some districts, they have to send students to BOCES. We're able to say we're going to do it right here at Mount Vernon," said Acting Superintendent Kim Smith.

"Technicians can make a boatload of money and Rebecca Turner students can be career-ready on day one," said Brian Simmons, district Career and Technical Education (CTE) director.

That boatload of money promised is between $80,000 to $150,000 a year. Industry leaders say there's a high demand for techs right now since many are nearing retirement age.

"This is an amazing career," a Mount Vernon alum said.

He shared he's already seeing success in the field.