Mechanic Training

Automotive

Do you love the roar of the horsepower and the smell of the rubber hitting the road? You would rather restore a rusted-out piece of you-know-what to its former glory than buy a car new off of a lot? Face it, you are a gearhead. So, why not get paid big bucks for it?

Auto mechanic training can set you up with the necessary skills for your career. As automotive technology changes faster than ever, mechanics need the right career education to make sure they’re up-to-date on the latest developments.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that “most service technicians must complete on-the-job training, often as part of a formal education program.” The BLS reports that the median income for auto mechanics was about $35,790 in May 2010, with higher wages reported by government and dealership employees.

The number of jobs available may grow faster than average over the next decade. All of the schools below offer high-quality programs that will accelerate your career and help you achieve your dream of being a professional mechanic:

Benefits of attending a mechanic school

Nowadays, auto technicians are required to have good reading, mathematics, and computer skills to be able to expertly perform their job. For these reasons, it’s no longer sufficient to just learn the trade by assisting experienced workers.

The preferred alternative is to attend a program that will present you with certification in automotive service technology. These programs, offered in high schools, postsecondary vocational schools, or community colleges, will prepare you in the following ways:

• Programs will award you with the nationally recognized certification of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Trainees who graduate from community colleges also earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
• Programs will give you career preparation through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on practice. You’ll become a modern-day auto technician, ready to master the high technology involved in today’s automotive industry.
• Programs will provide education in English, basic mathematics, computers, and other job-related subjects. This will help you to efficiently analyze and solve problems and will give you the strong communication skills necessary to grasp technical information from shop manuals or computers.
• Programs will prepare you for the use of a variety of power tools, such as pneumatic wrenches and machine tools In this way you’ll be able to successfully work on cars without hurting yourself or anyone else.

By successfully completing a training program in automotive service technology, you’ll be regarded by employers as a quality auto technician. Whatever your goals, training programs in automotive service technicians will give you the necessary skills to make those goals a reality.

Engine Repair School Courses

Most engine repair school courses are completed in a year; as courses are offered year-round, students can enroll at any time. Engine repair schools train mechanics to use specialized computer diagnostic equipment to run and analyze engine performance to pinpoint problems. Once an engine problem has been defined, students learn how to correct the problem quickly and efficiently.

So, what does the future hold for an engine repair school graduate? As new technology is continually being integrated into automotive and other engines, the industry is growing. Many car companies work with engine repair schools to train mechanics using the newest technology. Engine repair school graduates can also look at specializing in engine repairs for motorcycles, power boats, snowmobiles, and other vehicles.

Auto Mechanics Salary

An auto mechanic performs inspections, services, and repairs automobiles. Through education, auto mechanics possess knowledge of mechanical and electronic systems to diagnose a vehicle’s problem. Opportunities are promising if you complete postsecondary automotive training programs. Those without formal automotive training are likely to face competition for entry-level jobs.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2010, an average auto mechanic’s salary was $38,200 per year, while a mechanic working for local government earned $45,640 per year. The skill level of the mechanic also plays a role: Mechanics servicing higher-end vehicles, such as Mercedes or BMW, receive higher wages. The BLS also reports the employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics will increase by 5 percent between 2008 and 2018. The rising number of vehicles used in the United States leads to new jobs in basic car maintenance and repair.

Receiving the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification is standard for auto mechanics. Usually, an auto mechanics’ salary is dependent upon experience. If you want to succeed, you need to get a proper education by keeping current on technology. Community colleges, vocational schools, and technical colleges specialize in these types of courses.

These are the five, top-paying states for auto mechanics:

1. Alaska
2. District of Columbia
3. Maryland
4. Connecticut
5. Massachusetts

Many auto mechanic positions are in dealerships, repair shops, or tire shops. In addition to an auto mechanic’s salary, you may receive benefits, such as health coverage, 401K plans, sick days, paid holidays, vacation days, and tool reimbursement.

After completing a training program at a vocational school or community college, consider getting your National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification, and continuing to acquire new skills and knowledge by taking continuing education courses from professional organizations, like the Automotive Service Association.

** Source: BLS

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Attention! This article is for informational purposes ONLY and is NOT a replacement for professional advice in any way! It is possible that schools updated their information, and you should ALWAYS contact them before making a decision. Course listings are subject to change.

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