Hi all, I currently work in the medical field, pay is good and job is secure. I have considerable free time and was thinking of pursuing auto mechanic training classes at my local CC. Not looking for a job in the mechanics trade (due to my older age 44/ back and joint issues) but more so for my own personal knowledge, future hobbies and possible income. My question is, do you think the formal education is worth the cost and time, or should i pursue another avenue. Also for those with mechanical backgrounds, do you make any money fixing peoples vehicles out of your own garage or are backyard mechanics a thing of the past. I just find it crazy that shops are charging $100+ and hr now and mechanics wages have stagnated. It just feels like its time for the home mechanic to make a resurgence.
For those with proper auto mechanic training - interesting in your thoughts on schooling
- Thread starter philcore3
- Start date
manicmechanic007
5 Year Member
philcore3,
n order to really learn anything they will put you to work at a dealer while you attend school
That is how the Ford asset program works
All manufacturers have a similar program to train entry level technicians
And yes call yourself a technician once you are good enough to command 40-55 bucks an hour or so
Most of us journeymen or master techs can make 16 to 20 hours a day in a 8.5 hour shift
Worked for Ford always wanted to branch out to Mercedes Life is good for me
I got my masters cert in 1998 after starting at the dealer in 79-80
Once you get there you just do some continuing education to maintain your master cert
n order to really learn anything they will put you to work at a dealer while you attend school
That is how the Ford asset program works
All manufacturers have a similar program to train entry level technicians
And yes call yourself a technician once you are good enough to command 40-55 bucks an hour or so
Most of us journeymen or master techs can make 16 to 20 hours a day in a 8.5 hour shift
Worked for Ford always wanted to branch out to Mercedes Life is good for me
I got my masters cert in 1998 after starting at the dealer in 79-80
Once you get there you just do some continuing education to maintain your master cert
manicmechanic007
5 Year Member
That picture of mine is my pewter Ford Masters Program Trophy
They do not give those away
You need all 8 ASE's first and then you start on the Ford masters program
Takes about 20 years to get to all the schools required because they only pay to send you to a few each year
And depending on the market they only offer certain schools certain times
So if you need the last HVAC class you might have to wait a year to get in
Same with the drivability and diesel classes
Real fun schools though. Learn some and get a lot of theory
They do not give those away
You need all 8 ASE's first and then you start on the Ford masters program
Takes about 20 years to get to all the schools required because they only pay to send you to a few each year
And depending on the market they only offer certain schools certain times
So if you need the last HVAC class you might have to wait a year to get in
Same with the drivability and diesel classes
Real fun schools though. Learn some and get a lot of theory
If you're married, go to the school that is most convenient and completed in the least amount of time.
If not married, go to the one with the best bewbz.
If not married, go to the one with the best bewbz.
Oh boy...
Lemme preface all of my answers to the individual parts of your post by giving you my background. I've worked in the car industry since 2003 (except for two years where I ran a restaurant, long story). I've sold cars, been a technician, been a parts guy, a service advisor, and a manager, with most of my time spent at a parts counter or in the shop working on cars. I have five ASEs (parts, brakes, steering and suspension, engine repair and engine performance), and certifications from Ford, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and BMW, and have worked on virtually all makes and models over the years (including some exotics, hybrids, and electrics).
Good move, community colleges and state-run technical schools tend to have standards instead of being diploma mills like UTI, ATI, Lincoln Tech, or Wyotech.
Smart. If I had it to do over again I'd have a college degree and be in a different field instead of having over six figures invested in tools over the course of a career.
Short answer? It's virtually mandatory at this point. Long answer? Even with a formal education, they're only teaching you up to a certain point in technology in school and you're already going to be behind the times by the time you graduate if you aren't spending time in an actual dealership service department.
I try to avoid side work. Customers are too shady to deal with these days. The last thing I need is some jackass saying that I'm the reason his engine is knocking after I changed his tail light bulb and trying to take me to court for it. At the dealership I'm shielded by the company insurance policy, not to mention have a service advisor and manager between me and the customer so I don't end up using a 32mm wrench to give them an attitude adjustment. I do a little side work for some of the salesmen at the BMW dealership I'm at now, and I work on the parts manager's Thunderbird and his grandson's Tacoma, but that's about it.
As far as backyard mechanics being a thing of the past... well, yeah, that's the direction it's going. Even basic repairs like brakes require a bi-directional scan tool to reset brake pad life monitors and/or retract parking brakes to the "service position" on a lot of modern cars (especially European). Replacing any given part in the fuel system can require resetting adaptations for the car to even run after repairs are completed on modern cars because with direct injection, they're that finely tuned.
On Point A, shops are charging more labor than ever because they need more equipment and specialty tools than ever. When I started in this industry 19 years ago, cars didn't have surround cameras, parking sensors, radar, bluetooth, and a whole lot of the other things that are normal now. Servicing and calibrating all of that requires special equipment that the manufactururers don't send to their dealerhips for free. It's even harder on independent shops who have to wait on someone to reverse engineer things or on patents to expire before they can even acquire the tools and equipment to service such systems. On point B, you're damned right they've stagnated, and worse than that, the OEMs are actively screwing technicians over by constantly cutting back labor times, deciding new things don't pay anything, denying warranty claims, and more. As far as home mechanics making a resurgence... see the two previous points. The home mechanic isn't going to be doing much more than oil changes before too long.
Wow, I can't thank you enough for the well thought out reply. In the time since my post, I have reconsidered schooling and your reply certainly makes my decision seem like the right one. I am leaning more toward the hobby knowledge so I may just spend my free time bugging some retired mechanics for advice. Sensors and futuristic electronics don't really interest me, especially not enough to begin buying expensive tools. Thanks again and props to you for doing the hard work that needs to be done.
