If you want to become an automotive service technician, you can either attend a technical school or find a shop that is willing to take you on as an apprentice. Attending a technical school can allow you to learn a great deal of information in a classroom setting, and you may get experience working with some state of the art diagnostic equipment and tools. Many technical schools are sponsored by dealerships, so you may be locked in to employment in a dealership setting if you become an automotive service technician this way. The other option is to find a shop where you can apprentice. This method of becoming an automotive technician can allow you to gain real world experience and make a living as you learn.
Each method you can use to become an automotive service technician has potential benefits and drawbacks, so you may want to weigh them before making your choice. Automotive service technicians can work on a wide variety of different vehicles and systems, so it may require a great deal of both knowledge and experience to be proficient. Regardless of the method you use to obtain the job, you will typically need to follow up with continuing education to keep on top of all the latest developments and may want to pursue various professional certifications as well.
Technical schools are one of the main ways you can become an automotive service technician. These schools will often use a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience. Many technical schools have state of the art repair facilities where you will have the opportunity to work with advanced diagnostic equipment and tools. You may work on project cars or the school might operate a repair facility that the general public can bring their cars to.
After you graduate from a technical school, you will typically have much of the knowledge required to become an automotive service technician. Whether or not you have the necessary practical experience will depend largely on the program you attended. Many technical schools work closely with local dealerships, and in some cases these businesses may pay for the facilities or subsidize tuition. In these cases, you will typically be locked into a contract with a dealership after you graduate.
The other way to become an automotive service technician is to find a shop that will let you work in an apprenticeship role. If you choose this method, you will typically begin by performing simple operations under the guidance of an experienced technician. You may also assist other technicians at the shop in performing more complicated repairs and diagnostics. Throughout the course of the apprenticeship period you will typically earn a wage, though it will usually be fairly low and hourly rather than based on commission.
When you become an automotive service technician though an apprenticeship, you will typically gather a great deal of practical knowledge and experience. It can be difficult to find this type of employment because many shops are not willing to take on apprentices. In many cases, you will need to have some sort of personal contacts or prior experience in a related field.
