Auto Tech School

[Valsmere]

Hi All,
I have a question to present exeryone here. First a little bit of a background history. To begin with I'm 37 years old and I work as a service tech in the maintance department of a port terminal near Philly Pa. We primarly use heavy duty forklifts, 12 up to 30 ton, and front end loaders. Well part of the work force including myself has been laid off. I have the chance right now to go back to school. I was thinking of Auto tech school with the diesel training as an elective. The school is during the day 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. Not a problem since I work nights when not laid off. The program is 19 months long. Now I know that there is a tuition pay back but not sure how much or if its in effect during an employee lay off. The program does have job placement upon completion, a good thing if I choose not to go back to my place of employment. If I do end up going back I may get an increase in pay and bump up to a "rate" job. The program consists of the following:
Manual Drive Train & Axles
Brakes *
Engine Repair
Suspension and Steering *
Electrical Systems 1 *
Air Conditioning and Heating *
Automatic Trans/ Transaxles
Electrical/ Electronics II *
Engine Performance
Computer COntrols & Electronic Diagnostics
Elective- Diesel
Diesel Engines
Diesel Fuel Systems
All the courses with * designates Ford MRL Courses
The campus is about an hour away from home about 20 minutes from work. The cost is about 40 thousand dollars with books uniforms and tools. The tools I pretty much already have. Keep in mind that I have been working in this field offically the last year. Unoffically I have restored my own car and did some auto work before.
So my question is do I pull the trigger?
Oh before I forget the courses are all geared to teaching the subject matter that is on the ASE certification exams.
Any and all opinions, and ideas are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[krusty the clown]

i would run far and fast............

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I went to a technical college diesel program, I graduated and then ended up working for peterbilt for a few years and was just recently laid off do to the sharp drop off of incoming work. I would advise looking elsewhere right now as many of the techs on here will tell you the vehicle maintenance industry is largely in dire straights right now I really would not steer anyone in that direction. What ever your decision is I wish you good luck.

 

[Deafautotech]

i would run far and fast............

i would but i already started and get good pay(hourly) so i am stay where i am now...

40K dollars for diesel programs are seem too much... i went to Ivy tech for being Auto technician and i only pay less than 6k dollars in three years as 2 years degree programs at Community College... it is good classes with good teachers but bad chairman because doing all same thing over and over...

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I forgot to hit on the price point.....thats an absurd price if you are set on going to school for mechanics find a nice state technical college, my 2 year degree only cost 6 grand in tuition with a little more for books and uniforms and tools were left up to us.

 

[wythors]

That's WAAAAAAYYY too much money for that program. Realistically, it should be less than half that.

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I would look into other programs outside of the transportation service industry. I went to school for automotive and worked in a dealership for a couple of years. It was rough and I made just enough to get buy (luckily I was/am living at home). I got into the CAT program I am in now which is a dealer internship kinda thing, school for 8 weeks, work for 8 weeks, back and forth. It is a good program and I am pretty much guaranteed a job at the end since the dealer I am at pays for it. I graduate this upcoming May. Had I not gotten into this program, I don't what I would be doing. Definitely glad to be out of the auto side of it though.

Edit: If I was paying for this, it would be about $15,000 plus books. That is also out-of-state tuition (school is OH) which is usually double what someone in-state would have to pay.

 

[Valsmere]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking that this was rather high, but I had no way to guage it. I also did not realize that the heavy truck industry was taking a beating also. Which that was the reason why I chose the diesel program. Since I'm in south Jersey I will look into some of the County Tech schools in the area and see what they have to offer. Besides I am not to keen on the idea of another bill to pay at the end of the month right now, especially that high. I know of a few big heavy duty machinery dealers by me that may have a CAT, or Cat like progam as mentioned above. Thankfully I did not sign anything the other day when I went to take a look at the school, and talk to an admin rep. Besides 15 grand is a lot easier to swallow than 40.
I really do appreciate the advice you guys are giving me, and I thank you all.

 

[caper150]

I too was working up till a few weeks ago,we built cement truck and refuse trucks. I worked as a manager of the paint shop(1 of 2) in the building, had the most years and seniorty in the shop as far as managers went, still gotn let go. Anyway no constructio,no concrete being poured, no sales. I too am already in school finishing up an AAS degree in Management that work required us to have. Figured since they paid for most of it and I only need to pay for 3 classes myself why not. I'm 43 and it wasn't easy to go back but worth it I think.I'm actually eligable through the state for a program that allows to recieve training money and am trying to figure out how I can make it work to get my Law Enforcement certificate. I figure the service end of things is a better way to go the manfacturing or retail.

 

[scofo]

How are you with heights? Have you looked into wind turbine technician training. I,m too old and worn out for climbing towers but i have a feeling this technololgy is going to explode. If I had used myself up in auto repair I'd probably pursue that.

 

[porschedude996TT]

How about an Aerospace Technician Job. My local JC has an Aerospace Technician certificate program. It would allow you to find a job working on satellites or spacecraft.

 

[nissan_crawler]

How about an Aerospace Technician Job. My local JC has an Aerospace Technician certificate program. It would allow you to find a job working on satellites or spacecraft.

an A&P license is pretty much worthless right now without years of experience. I contacted an airline about a job, and with 7 years experience, they were offering $14/hour.

I hate to crush your dreams, but I would honestly stay away from most maintenance related training right now, unless you know you will have a job when you get out, or have plenty of money for the training, and are willing to wait for things to pick up to get a job.

I'll also say that while there is nothing wrong with local training for an A&P, it can make it tougher to get a job, especially in the shape the industry is in now. Most big companies look to the top schools first to fill positions. I made a tough choice between a $12k school and a $23k school. I picked the $23k one. I got an offer for where I wanted, somebody I know that went to the other one didn't even get an interview. This was right after 9-11 when things were tough in aviation.

 

[Valsmere]

How are you with heights? Have you looked into wind turbine technician training. I,m too old and worn out for climbing towers but i have a feeling this technololgy is going to explode. If I had used myself up in auto repair I'd probably pursue that.

Funny that you mentioned that. Gamesa, a wind mill manufacturing company, just laid off a little over 100 people. One of the locations is literally the next door neighbor to us where I got laid off from. We on occasion used to unload ships that had those wind mills on them. From what I understand they sold off that division due to it not generating enough money. But to answer your question heights do not bother me at all.
I don't feel any one is crushing my dreams I just want to see the reality of it before I pull the trigger and get into a situation that is costly, and really doesn't benefit me or my family.

 

[ironroad 9c1]

yea working flat rate ***** unless you can sleep at night ripping people off and cutting corners, I worked as a dealer tech f and indi shop tech for a few years and it *****. hard to make money being a honest tech and doing things the right way.

 

[krusty the clown]

yea working flat rate ***** unless you can sleep at night ripping people off and cutting corners, I worked as a dealer tech f and indi shop tech for a few years and it *****. hard to make money being a honest tech and doing things the right way.

you can make money on flat rate if your honest..............but you need to be fed.

 

[jerk_chicken]

$40k? Jesus. I would check into which Community Colleges offer programs. While it's one state over, Suffolk Community College on Long Island has a program, and if you decide to do other types of courses to broaden yourself, they are all part of the equivalent SUNY system universal standard. You can transfer them into Stony Brook or most every other Suny school.

I would suggest thinking long and hard and perhaps going for an AS degree, as it can be had fairly easily and if you ever have a break in your education, after that point, that level can't be taken from you and you can go for the BS when you get time, and then so on.

SCCC also has electronics and other types of courses that can prepare you for technical careers, which end up in Universities, should you so choose.

Another great place to get into is healthcare. Even nursing will get you some places. CC's also offer nursing programs, though they tend to be competitive due to low tuition compared to the Universities. I tutored a lot of them in several classes. It's doable.

 

[Spookrider]

Go medical job field. Guns and Knifes and McDonald isn't running out fad soon.

 

[hot rod 91174]

IMO, with new car sales down , people are keeping cars longer and that usually means older cars need repairs and repair shops should be picking up more business, right? not sure how this is going right now, been out of it for 11 years, started driving trucks , and thats not woring out very good right now either!!

 

[krusty the clown]

IMO, with new car sales down , people are keeping cars longer and that usually means older cars need repairs and repair shops should be picking up more business, right?

wrong..........

 

[alkemyst]

Go medical job field. Guns and Knifes and McDonald isn't running out fad soon.

RN's are hard to come by and $50k+ in many areas just starting....if you have almost any 4 year degree somewhat science based they have 2 year programs....they also get overtime usually so if you live on a flexible schedule (seeing you work night and day) you can probably push to $80k+ a year. Bonus is you can get state college tuition and free money.

It's a job you don't just go home at night and forget though.

To the OP...I have been to 3 different major dealership parts dept's over the past few weekends and they were absolutely dead. I have gotten several mailers for extremely cheap service deals...I wouldn't lay out $40k for this endevour.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

wrong..........

X2.....I wish that was the case.

 

[Valsmere]

Yeah I called the school back today and declined the offer. Right after that I called back my supervisor at work and he seemed to be hopeful of a call back to work soon. I guess I'll hold for a week or two to see what happens. Afterall it has been only two weeks for this layoff. I just hate to sit around, it drives me crazy. The Community College route seems the most realistic. The one mentioned in New York really wouldn't since I'm in South Jersey, 10 minutes outside of Philly. I have been hitting a few CC web sites down here by me and am gathering information. I have also talked to a welding shop about some classes and they gave me some information, again at a Community Colege. There are a few doors that can be opened for me I may just sit tight to see how it pans out with work. My wife has been telling me to relax for now. She says that I'm doing a hundred miles an hour in circles, and driving her crazy at the same time. Thanks guys for the opinions and info. I'll keep you guys up to date with how it turns out.

 

[jerk_chicken]

Keep looking at different CC's. Believe me, CC's aren't where screwups go anymore. Some have minimum grade requirements now and also have extensive high-level programs, despite being two year schools. The one I shared my classes with for scheduling purposes with the university down the road was first class and offered several third year courses in the sciences. Also, as a CC student, universities try to recruit students with top grades. You are at a significant advantage if you go there to do your work, get good grades, and look for further education, whether it be vocational or otherwise.

 

[bookman51]

Valsmere, I am involved in accreditation of both nonprofit and proprietary schools. There are good and bad in both. There are some pretty good proprietary schools but, by definition, they are out to make money.

My advice is to find a good community college. They will be cheaper, but you also might have to be more assertative in getting what you want. The better ones probably have some career counseling, but also ask around, as you did on this board.

Hard to find something recession proof. The fellow is right about RNs, but after a few years RNs leave hospitals in droves. It can be a killer career. Lots of stress in hospitals.

Right now the local tractor dealer is too busy to work on my antique tractor. Now, if I lived in another of the country and had an old car, folks would be tripping over themselves to work on it. I was at a tech school last spring and they told me they could not turn out students quickly enough in maintaining power generators. Do not know why, and I do not know if it will last.

Good luck.

Bookman

 

[Vinko]

wrong..........

why not? People are going w/o repairs?

 

[EdNJ]

wrong..........

X2.....I wish that was the case.

x3.....I wish that was the case too

 

[rocketman]

I may cause some waves but here's my $.02

First the $40K isn't bad IF the tools they supply are top notch. What's a full set of SO or MAC going for with a box?? What's to keep the guy from starting his OWN shop?? IMHO, more and more people are going to be keeping and REPAIRING their current vehicles instead of buying new ones. 1. Because they can't afford new ones and are unsure of their own jobs. 2. GOOD, honest mechanics are worth their weight in gold IF they get a following of customers. 3. Banks aren't giving out any money for new or even used vehicles now.

They guy is older which gives him an advantage with what could be called "age respectability." I'd probably not trust a 20 something with a new business but a 37 yr old, much more inclined.

Sure, he could change fields. Go into IT or Nursing (wife is a 17 yr veteran RN and gets almost $40 an hour) I make more as a senior IT guy, but his heart is in grease and oil.

If you love what you do, you never WORK a day in your life!

 

[sammerdog]

I may be walking the proverbial "no politics" high wire here, but I gotta throw a little reality in here. Yes, currently nursing & medicals fields are great, but the Stimulus Package that our Senate and House passed last week has money attached to it for the nationalization of our healthcare system. We could see the end of a free market based employee/employer market relaitively soon (for sure before the end of Obama's term). It would just **** to get too far down the bunny trail in school and then have the rug pulled out from under you pay-wise.

My wife is in the health care field and is scared crapless over where this whole Socialism thing is headed.

If you like wrenching, the guys recommending CC's are dead on.

 

[jerk_chicken]

God, people shouldn't be so scared about "socialism". Most people "Scared crapless" over it are attached to the old cold war era of thinking when "Socialism" was used interchangeably and villified as being Soviet, which is certainly not the same thing. We have a lot of socialism, down to hospitals getting subsidies and grants to continue working, grants for research, investment, studies, highways, and a host of other things. Even garbagemen are paid through socialistic policies. Get over it.

 

[Valsmere]

My Mom was an LPN since her Navy days during the Vietnam war, I would go that route but as mentioned before we really don't know where that field is going. I seem to think that we may end up with a surplus there soon. I could be wrong. I don't have a drive to do that either. As far as IT yeah I could do that I have a strong back ground in that all way up to MCSE, BUT I hated doing it after a while. Some back ground may be needed here. My father and I had our own business with computers, sales, scrap, set up, and networking. At the same time I was working in a small company that did the same thing. This was during the Y2k scare. Honestly, I am so burnt out on the "computer" gig. Yes my heart is in grease and oil, between working on the families cars, my own 67 GTO and buddies cars and trucks, I just don't have the "formal" training and certs. I could start beating down doors of some private shops around here but I don't know where that would end up.
The aircraft route I really should have looked at that 20 years ago but I didn't. Honestly right now with few bills, and no mortgage due to being careful with my money I can weather this storm. I just value the opinion of this board and its members. You guys have given my some really good pointers and food for thought and I do appreciate it all, I just wish I could buy you all a round of beer!

 

[Torque1st]

Right now if you can get a loan to support yourself and go to school for any reasonably priced training is probably a good place to be with the economy the way it is. Any job that is "hands on" is usually difficult to outsource overseas... The economy will come back in some sort of form. What that form will be is up anyone's guess.

 

[sammerdog]

God, people shouldn't be so scared about "socialism". Most people "Scared crapless" over it are attached to the old cold war era of thinking when "Socialism" was used interchangeably and villified as being Soviet, which is certainly not the same thing. We have a lot of socialism, down to hospitals getting subsidies and grants to continue working, grants for research, investment, studies, highways, and a host of other things. Even garbagemen are paid through socialistic policies. Get over it.

Yeah, you're right. When Germany socialized their health plans in the lates 30s, everything worked out just super-duper in their "special" hospitals.

I don't know what people are scared of....

...silly Americans.

 

[jerk_chicken]

I actually had a bad injury in September while in Italy and I carried that injury back to Germany. I made the decision to go in and I saw a specialist in an emergency and he ran a sonogram on my leg arteries and I was out in under 1:30, after seeing three levels of specialists.

I also had a bad filling that was put over a cavity in the US, and the tooth gave me trouble. I saw an emergency dentist on a sunday in another state and he filled it. Came back home, got an appointment with a dentist in my neighborhood and they finished the job. That, I had no problem with, and if you're reading, I have no problems telling it like it is about my German experience. Both times were great, but the specialist that did the sonogram started acting like a ***** and asking about what Americans think about what they did (economic) and how because I'm American, I think I know everything. That was pretty cool.

I also have NHS healthcare through the UK and had good experiences there. I also have emergency supplemental for airlifts through our equivalent of AAA. Even for mtb tours and vacations.

My insurance, self-paid, is 150€/month.

 

[sammerdog]

jerk chicken said:
I actually had a bad injury in September while in Italy and I carried that injury back to Germany. I made the decision to go in and I saw a specialist in an emergency and he ran a sonogram on my leg arteries and I was out in under 1:30, after seeing three levels of specialists..

Good to hear you had good care - hope all continues to heal up nicely!!!!

 

[e-tek]

SOme good advice in this thread - yer a good bunch of grumpy old farts!!

As far as getting work - come to Saskathcewan - we're hiring for everything!!! These a huge sign at the Finning tractor plant - WE'RE HIRING!!

Of course it's minus 40 (-40F) in the winter and Plus 40 (120F) in the summer....