| Auto technicians use both wrenches and | | | | Excellence (ASE) offers a testing program that |
| computer programs with equal ease.. Cars today | | | | leads to certification, a factor that can be |
| operate with the assistance of computer systems | | | | important to employers. The general requirement |
| that control heating and cooling systems, fuel | | | | for taking the ASE examination is two years of |
| feed, ignition and and several of the conveniences | | | | experience in the field, but graduation from an |
| such as the sound system and GPS programs. | | | | automotive vocational program can be substituted |
| The challenges for auto technicians today include | | | | for one of those years. For automotive repair |
| the traditional variations in design and functionality | | | | alone, there are eight specializations such as brake |
| used by various auto makers. Equally challenging is | | | | repair and ignition systems that are available for |
| the fact that auto producers continually upgrade | | | | ASE certification, each with its own exam. |
| the technology used to operate today's vehicles. | | | | Consider whether your preference is working for |
| You can study with auto manufacturers. In order | | | | a dealer or for a repair shop. This isn't a decision |
| to keep auto technicians up to date many | | | | you need to make immediately, your school |
| manufacturers operate training schools who want | | | | offers special courses for individual brands, as |
| to learn from the source. Nissan, BMW, Toyota | | | | some do. Usually selecting one of these additional |
| and Ford all offer training programs that lead to | | | | courses adds a few weeks to the educational |
| certification. Continuing education is also offered | | | | program, which are generally about a year in |
| by many of the other auto makers; sometimes | | | | length. If you choose to study the workings of |
| those courses are available at automotive | | | | Volkswagen or BMW autos, for example, it will be |
| vocational schools. The changes in both design and | | | | an excellent addition to your resume but may limit |
| complexity for the inner workings of automobiles | | | | your options for seeking employment. |
| change much more rapidly today than a | | | | Give some thought to becoming a manager. |
| generation ago | | | | Some automotive vocational schools include |
| Choose an area of expertise. Most auto technician | | | | classes in business management and the oversight |
| training facilities separate their teaching into three | | | | duties involved in running a shop. If you want to |
| areas: Basic auto repair, collision repair, and diesel | | | | learn these skills at the beginning of your career, |
| maintenance and repair. Diesel mechanics typically | | | | find an academy or community college program |
| work on buses and trucks. The salaries for all | | | | that includes them. And whether or not you |
| three of these options have a variation of about | | | | choose to pursue management opportunity, |
| ten percent among them, according to the | | | | continuing education will be a part of your life. A |
| Department of Labor. | | | | good question on a job interview is whether or |
| Many automotive professionals seek certification. | | | | not the employer pays for refresher courses for |
| The National Institute for Automotive Service | | | | the staff professionals. |