I am deciding between some schools, but need help.I would like to go to Ati in virginia beach, but have some other tech schools/ community colleges in mind. Is local community colleges worth it at all to become a master automotive mechanic? Tech schools only good for basic knowledge? The extra money for a big name tech school worth it?

 

The best way to answer this question is to go around and ask the service managers at the local shops (or wherever you'd like to work) where they like to hire from (or NOT to hire from). Local community colleges can vary widely and it depends a lot on the teacher and how well the program is funded. The one that I went to was top rate, but that could have changed in the 25 years since I went there.

I don't know that anybody can give you a definitive answer, so go and check out both schools yourself. Interview the teachers if you can, and ask them questions about the employment placement rates of the graduates (how many of the program's graduates have job offers at graduation).

The one thing that I will say about tech schools is that they want your money so they will make claims that may or may not be true. I went to a recruitment session for one electronics technician tech school when I was in high school and they claimed that there were tons of jobs out there (this was in early-mid 80s). My dad started calling around to big employers like Tektronix (they used to be really large back then) and they had been laying off people like crazy at the time so weren't looking to hire any techs. So consider the source of the info!

Oh, and one more thing - after a few years of work experience, nobody will give a care where you went to school. They WILL care about what you know, so do everything you can to become an expert, and get your ASE certifications in as many areas as you can. If you work at a dealership, you will be getting factory training usually anually, get as much training as they will send you to!

 

I really like what redmondjp said. He pretty much said it all.

Tech schools may look great but they really arent, for the most part. I was looking into Universal Technical Institute for their diesel program. Not offering it in Florida, I looked into their FORD program. They wanted 47,000 dollars for 1 year and a certificate. Working at Honda at the time I was working with a bunch of guys who went to or were attending UTI for various automotive classes (basic, BMW..etc) and I was not impressed by their knowledge. Having only gone to a vocational school, worked at a truck shop, and only been basically self taught on automotive by the knowledge that can transfer from the semi's to the cars, I was rethinking spending so much on a certificate I basically already had.

I ended up moving and got into a community college. I got an Associates in Diesel Technology in 2 years for somewhere around 10,000 (that included books). Right after graduation I ended up getting into Caterpillar and they have their own training which also offers an Associates only instead it is for Heavy Construction Equipment. Now... with the community college I cant say that everything was the newest and up to date.. but the majority of the work is learned in the field anyhow. You only need the basics in school. I think places like UTI uses their grandeur to lure people in to the most hi-tech supercharged modified cars. Reality is if you can build an old junk engine, you can also build a new engine.

With the basic knowledge from school and the degree/cert you can get into a shop that will be willing to help you out. You work for them and get real hands on work. You see things you knew, and you learn new things. I went and took my ASE's sometime after school and became Master Certified in Heavy Truck. As redmondjp said... once you get that, thats what (automotive) shops look at. When you graduated high school you got a diploma. When you graduate college, diploma is hidden. When you get ASE's, those others are hidden. Why spend a crap load of money you probably dont have to learn the same stuff? Look at a bunch of places, as he said talk to shops, and find a good place that is respectable and not out to take your money.

 

The best way to make it as a tech, is to start out doing oil changes/brake jobs/tires while going to school at the same time. I made the mistake of putting all my focus into my tech school and didn't work in the field until after. I still had to start at the bottom of the pay scale. This was right at the beginning of the recession, so there was no real need for techs, and I moved into another field where I'm far ahead of what I'd get had I stuck around as a tech.

Go the cheapest way possible. A tech school is best for learning the basics. I was able to get a full scholarship through the school via an essay contest and I'm thankful for it. Had I been paying the full price (roughly $30,000 for 15 months) I would have left, because it was nowhere near worth it.

As a wrench, Experience >>>> Education every time. Nobody wants to hire a queen.

 

like everybody else said, check around at business's and into different schools.

I went to a small town CC, had a great instructor that i still keep in touch with, but i started at the dealership on a work-study program which led to being on the payroll halfway through my last year. but there was also only a handful of us in my class that actually ended up in the business, CC's have alot of lurkers

the biggest benefit from going to school would be knowing the theory and also getting familier with newer electronics, such as CAN communications.

and I completely agree about getting ASE certified and working a lube rack before you even graduate.