Son wants to go into Automotive Tech

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TRWRacing

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Looking for some advice from some in the field. I originally started at a Community College for Auto Service Technology in 1988, but changed after 2 years and got a BA. I work in IT for 20 years now.

We have visited UNOH, UTI at Lisle yesterday and have Triton (Community College which has GM and Honda/Acura 2 year associate degrees) and Oakton (Community College that I originally attended before transferring).

He is not sure that he wants to go out of state and plays baseball in HS. UNOH, Triton and Oakton offer baseball. UTI’s tuition is $35,600 for 51 weeks. Out of District tuition for Triton for 2 years will be about $20K. UNOH about $35K for 2 year program plus housing. Oakton about $14K for 2 year associates degree for AST.

Thanks
 
In my opinion, the IT sector is the way to go. I am a (UPS) "uninterrupted power supply" electronics tech for Vertiv / Liebert. Formerly Emerson Network Power. We were sold due to greedy shareholders. Anyway, i am grossing $100K-$110 a year Working from my home. The US techs operate much differently that we do here in Canada, at the same time there is never a shortage of work. I can say in the past 11 years i have never had a threat of a job lay off.

I am thinking the Automotive industry will be changing severely in the next 5-10 years.

My Son is starting 4 years of environmental engineering, not sure where that will take him?
 
Way back in the 70's I went to Denver Automotive and Diesel Collage. Now I believe it is Lincoln Tech.
Had a instructor that stated "You may not have a high paying job,but you will always have a job". He was right. I have never been without a job,nor was ever laid off, or ever on any public assistance.
The automotive field branches way out.Not only cars and trucks,but farm equipment, heavy earth moving equipment,pumps,etc.
I scored a job with a factory maintaining forklifts and warehouse order pickers along with stationary equipment.
Now almost 50 years later I still get to play with Hot Rod Mopars. Worked for me !
 
Unfortunately, he is not interested in IT. Took some courses in HS. He doesn’t like sitting at a desk or spreadsheets. He is very good at Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator and getting certified in that in his Advanced course.

We can’t predict the future and I’ve told him that the Auto Industry is evolving and will need to adapt over the next 35 years of working. My degree is in Environmental Studies and I work in IT. He is only child and have about 2/3rds save for UTI or UNOH type of education. He will have get a loan for about $10-15K.
 
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I would recommend going the Diesel Repair way... Good Diesel Techs are in heavy need in the industrie at the moment.. On road and Off road.. Automotive Service Techs are plentiful at the moment.. But if needed he could always back into this at a later date.
Just My 2 cents
 
I went to the Uti NASCAR campus in Mooresville NC. I went through the NASCAR and automotive program. Currently a technician at a large Toyota dealership. I learned a lot about Motorsports and automotive. But they did not offer any type of degree. If I were to do it again. I would most likely go with a community college that offers a degree. It is also a lot cheaper.
 
I speak from the baseball perspective... If he’s interested in playing baseball, I suggest attending the summer camp the schools coach puts on or one he attends. Walking on to any collegiate level program without the coach seeing you play or recruiting you is difficult at best.
 
TRWRacing said:
Looking for some advice from some in the field. I originally started at a Community College for Auto Service Technology in 1988, but changed after 2 years and got a BA. I work in IT for 20 years now.

We have visited UNOH, UTI at Lisle yesterday and have Triton (Community College which has GM and Honda/Acura 2 year associate degrees) and Oakton (Community College that I originally attended before transferring).

He is not sure that he wants to go out of state and plays baseball in HS. UNOH, Triton and Oakton offer baseball. UTI’s tuition is $35,600 for 51 weeks. Out of District tuition for Triton for 2 years will be about $20K. UNOH about $35K for 2 year program plus housing. Oakton about $14K for 2 year associates degree for AST.

Thanks
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My son went to UTI... He got out with some book knowledge, but not enough hands-on... Look into better tech schools..
 
TRWRacing said:
Looking for some advice from some in the field. I originally started at a Community College for Auto Service Technology in 1988, but changed after 2 years and got a BA. I work in IT for 20 years now.

We have visited UNOH, UTI at Lisle yesterday and have Triton (Community College which has GM and Honda/Acura 2 year associate degrees) and Oakton (Community College that I originally attended before transferring).

He is not sure that he wants to go out of state and plays baseball in HS. UNOH, Triton and Oakton offer baseball. UTI’s tuition is $35,600 for 51 weeks. Out of District tuition for Triton for 2 years will be about $20K. UNOH about $35K for 2 year program plus housing. Oakton about $14K for 2 year associates degree for AST.

Thanks
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I've managed shops out here in the west, California, Utah and Colorado for 30 years and a good tech will always have a job with good to great pay. Suprised more parents don't look at it as an option for kids. Some get hung up on flat rate pay because of it being like a commission but all the good techs I've been around always make great hours.
Dealerships are great in a way, learn on brand and become an expert in it. As the brand evolves so does the tech. Independent shops will always challenge, got to know everything about every car. Alot harder to become proficient and maximize the flat rate.
As for what college it's hard to say. Get him the cheapest degree and if he changes his mind on the auto tech job he will still have a degree. Most don't work in what there degree is in and most employers don't care were its from. My daughter is a nurse could have went to a private college and paid 5 times more for the degree to earn the same pay.
 
I didnt attend any school for automotive, i took the hard road and logged enough time that i could challenge and get my ticket. Now a red seal journeyman mechanic,can get a job in any auto shop looking to hire. I just dont have the gumption to run all day to make bonus. So i am self employed running a shop from home, to pay the bills. In about 5 weeks my son will complete his apprenticeship,and be a journeman heavy duty mechanic before the age of 27.
Hes making somewhere around 100 grand a year now,and its about to increase.
He could find work anywhere across canada if he chooses.
Cant say that about the automotive trade. Even if you are at the top of your class, would take dedication and hard work to make that kind of coin.

Heavy duty is just hard work.

Just a note,plumbers and electricians don’t need to own 30 grand (plus) in tools to make decent money.
 
By trade I’m an aircraft mechanic. I have a nephew that is a diesel mechanic. What I have seen and heard from others is that automotive, heavy equipment etc are all going more and more to electronics. Aviation changed big time from when I started. My point being is if it were me I would definitely also learn as much of the electrical/electronics as I could. I’ve seen good mechanics that the electrical aspects absolutely stump. This might require classes beyond the core of the program. I’ve known individuals that made a very good living being able to troubleshoot and repair electrical issues others couldn’t. The thing is everything that rolls, flies, or floats is going more and more digital. I can’t help you on schools, but I’d definitely look somewhere that has activities to keep him interested and motivated such as sports.
 
With my three boys I told them you'll only be good at your job if you like it. They all went into the trades, none of them into any of my trades. I agree about the electrical/electronics in any trade as everything is going that way for more efficiency.
 
He'll be immediately in debt for at least $20K in tools, too. Something to consider. Dealership is cheaper because they supply specialy tools but again your experience gets really limited. It's like any other field - If he can live within his means, and is satisfied with it long term, I'm sure he'll do fine. I would not go into IT. I would not spend any big money on a 4-year degree unless it's an engineering or science degree.
 
I graduated from UNOH 22 years ago, I did learn a lot. I had experience going in my family is in the repair business. I was fortunate not to have to borrow to go to school. They have a program upon graduation to buy Snap-On tools at a deep deep discount. I sold the car i was driving to buy all the tools i could afford. I financed a Wrangler as a graduation gift to my self. It was a good experience and learned a lot.
 
@TRWRacing I would say to have him specialize in high performance & racing modifications in 1 or 2 companies. Honda/Toyota and perhaps BMW. While that would be a total of 5, in a way, the lower two brands are done often by mostly kids/young men and the more expensive BMW’s return more on a car less often seen.
 
I say to hell with auto or diesel truck repair. Send him to welding school. Get him certified. A certified welder will never be without work and can make over 100K a year.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I say to hell with auto or diesel truck repair. Send him to welding school. Get him certified. A certified welder will never be without work and can make over 100K a year.
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Treated like gods on the pipeline...
 
RustyRatRod said:
I say to hell with auto or diesel truck repair. Send him to welding school. Get him certified. A certified welder will never be without work and can make over 100K a year.
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These are facts. My previous job was welding. And there is definitely money to be made.
 
Welding is a real art for those who can do it well. Big money there if you want it.
 
Old guy here. We need young people to be interested in the auto repair business. That said, at 64 I would not be working in that industry. I have a low physical requirement job that allows me to continue to work.
 
I wanted to me a mechanic like my dad. Glad he talked me out of it.

Commercial electrician pays a lot better here and its rarely slow.
 
The local community college is a great place to get the training. Affordable and great job placement. The other option is getting on with a dealership. My younger son got a semi scholarship from Subaru. They started him 2 months ago as a lot attendant and told him yesterday that he is starting the lube tech part next week. And within 2 months he will get a $3 hourly raise. I know Ford has a similar program.
 
UTI was an option for a buddy of mine until he saw the tuition, NOPE! Was in Arizona I believe so housing was included. Diesel mechanics can go anywhere ie. boat motors. here is a stat: 6.5 million jobs available today in USA, 75% do not need a college degree. Why would you want to put your 18 year old 50-100K in debt right out of the crib? Fiber optics/Telephony/electrician/plumber. Good Union jobs, easiest one listed first! 75K starting without OT. As a telephone man, I sometimes spend more time on the phone or in my truck than outside. No heavy lifting, tools provided. Can you work at 18 feet? You get used to it real fast. No where as dirty as plumbing or monotonous as electrical new build stuff. I would think as a mechanic, the last thing you would find relaxing is working on your hobby car, that would suck. I trained for 18 months in IT, bottom line was that a guy in India will do the terminal work remotely for $10 an hour, and the cabling guys are not paid much for running cat-X wire. IT is out there, it just seems to be so competetive wage wise, and not in your favor now days as everyone is learning it. Supply and demand. Look into the Armed Forces reserves for some great tech training: Diesel mech/Nuke propulsion/steam fitter/welder/communications. Its free and will get him out of the house for at least 6 months! Hell, he may even like it......free room and board !
 
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