Training for a Career in Automotive Service: Which Program should I Choose?

Those interested in a career in auto service can receive training in formal school settings—secondary, postsecondary, and vocational schools; and technical or community colleges, both private and public.

Student Work Experience
There are many ways to gain work experience while you are a student. You may already be involved in one of the following; if not, consider becoming involved in one of these programs. Job Shadowing Program In this program you follow an experienced technician or service writer. The primary objective is to expose you to the “real world,” to see what it takes to be a successful technician or service writer. By job shadowing, you will also become familiar with the total operation of a service department.

A career possibility for an experienced technician is that of a trainer for the various manufacturers or instructors for an automotive program.

Mentoring Program
This program is not the most common program, but it can be one of the most valuable. In a mentoring program, you experience the duties and responsibilities of a technician while you have someone who is successful to use as an expert. Your mentor has agreed to stay in contact with you, to answer questions, and to encourage you. When you have a good mentor,
you have someone who may be able to explain things a little differently than the way things are explained in class. A mentor may also be able to give real life examples of why some of the things you need to learn are important.

Cooperative Education and Apprenticeship ProgramsThese programs are typically 2 years in length. One year is spent in school and the other in a dealership or service facility. This does not mean that 1 solid year is spent in school; rather in a cooperative program you spend 8 to 12 weeks at school, and then work for 8 to 12 weeks. The switching back and forth continues for 2 years. Not only do you earn an hourly wage while you are working, you also earn credit toward your degree or diploma. Your work experiences are carefully coordinated with your experiences at school; therefore, it is called a cooperative program—industry cooperates with education. Examples of this type of program are the Chrysler CAPS, Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, and Toyota T-Ten (in Canada these are called T-TEP) programs.
An apprenticeship program combines work experiences with education. The primary difference between the two programs is that in an apprenticeship program students attend classes in the evening after completing a day’s work. During this rigorous training program, you receive a decent hourly wage and plenty of good experience. You start the program as a helper to an experienced technician and can begin to do more on your own as you progress through the program. In both cases, while you work you get a chance to practice what you learned in school.

Part-Time Employment
The success of this experience depends on you and your drive to learn. Working part-time will bring you good experience, some income, and a good start in getting a great full-time position after you have completed school. The best way to approach this is to find a position and service facility that will allow you to grow. You need to start at a right level and be able to take on more difficult tasks when you are ready. The most difficult challenge when working part-time is to keep up with your education while you are working. Many times work may get in the way, but if you truly want to learn, you will find a way to fit your education around your work schedule.

Postgraduate Education
A few manufacturer programs are designed for graduates of postsecondary schools. These programs train individuals to work on particular vehicles. For example, BMW’s Service Technician Education Program (STEP) is a scholarship program for the top graduates of automotive postsecondary schools. Students in the program apply what they learned in their 2 - year program and learn to diagnose and service BMW products. BMW says this program is the most respected and intense training program of its kind in the world. For more information go to http://www.bmwstep.com.

The Need for Continuous Learning

Training in automotive technology and service does not end with graduation nor does the need to read end. A professional technician constantly learns and keeps up to date. In order to maintain your image as a professional and to keep your knowledge and skills up to date, you need to do what you can to learn new things. You need to commit yourself to lifelong learning.
There are many ways in which you can keep up with the changing technology. Short courses on specific systems or changes are available from the manufacturers and a number of companies that offer formal training, such as such as Federal Mogul, NAPA, AC Delco, and local parts jobbers. There are also several online courses available. It is wise to attend update classes as soon as you can. If you wait too long, you may have a difficult time catching up with the ever-changing technologies.
In addition to taking classes, you can learn by reading automotive magazines or the newest editions of automotive textbooks. A good technician takes advantage of every opportunity to learn.