Automobile Service Technician Training School
Vocational Education for Adults Who Like to Work with Their Hands
Mar 17, 2009
Automobile service training schools provide vocational education for adults who are mechanically inclined and like to work with their hands and minds. Adults completing an automotive repair program have the advantage of entering a career in which skilled technicians can earn as much as $40,000 a year after five years (PayScale.com, Hourly Rate Survey for Automobile Service Technician/Mechanic, 2009). In some areas of the country, especially large cities, the average pay is greater.
The cost of attending automotive school varies from state-to-state and schools within a state. However, the average cost is $10,000 for an associate degree in applied science specializing in automotive service. A two year degree is necessary, because most employers prefer an associate degree for entry level positions in automotive repair.
Advantages of an Automobile Service Training Program
There are many advantages and reasons for earning an automobile service technician degree and include:
Specialized Program
An automobile service training program is designed for maximum time in an automobile repair setting. Most courses are designed to spend at least 70 percent of the time working on cars, with the rest of the time in a classroom setting. This is especially beneficial for adults whose learning style is learning by doing – hands-on.
To meet the requirements of an associate degree, students typically must take and pass one course in math, English, and another general education topic. All other courses are focused on repairing cars.
Experienced Course Instructors
Course instructors are experienced automobile service technicians who have an equivalent degree. These instructors have years of experience repairing automobiles and typically have specialized in the specific car repairs – carburetors, suspension, air conditioning, transmissions, electrical systems, and electronic diagnostics.
Tuition Costs
Tuition at trade schools, vocational schools, and junior/community colleges are lower than attending a four year college. Also, most automobile service programs include the costs of textbooks and tools. This makes paying or financing the program much easier, because textbooks and tools are expensive.
Internships
Internships equal on-the-job experience that most employers want in new entry level employees. This is supported by most automobile service schools’ working relationships with local car dealerships, garages, and automotive shops for coordinating internships.
Quicker Entry into the Work Force
Automobile service training schools have shorter programs than attending a typical four year college. This means that graduates from automobile service technician school enter the work force earlier and begin earning money quicker.
Paying for an Automobile Training School
Just like students attending four year colleges, all students enrolling in automobile service programs at trade schools, vocation schools, and junior/community colleges are eligible for grants and loans. The first step is to complete a “Free Application for Free Student Aid” (FASFA) and have the results forwarded to your school. The school’s financial aid office will determine eligibility for grants and loans. Federal student financial aid has additional information on these programs.
There are additional ways of paying for school other than using federal grants and loans. These are explained in detail at six sources of free money for education.
Making Connections with Automobile Vocational Education
Vocational education schools provide specialized training in automotive service programs that are intended for adults who prefer to work with their hands, are mechanically inclined, and like solving problems. Not every career requires a lengthy degree, and automotive service technician schools are designed to prepare adults to enter a career field that needs talented people who like to work on cars.
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