- GOALS: If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never get there. Take some time to decide what is your ultimate goal? Do you want to work in a repair shop or dealership? Do you want automotive skills to enhance training you already have? Are you interested in obtaining a college degree? Perhaps you would like to work in a specialty area such as racing? Once you have a goal in mind, then you’re ready to take the next steps.
- EDUCATION: Cars are much more complicated than they used to be and require special testing equipment to diagnose problems. Informal experience is no longer enough to excel in this industry. You will need to choose an automotive program that will meet your needs. When choosing a school or auto program, make sure that it is NATEF certified. The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry. NATEF certified schools go through a rigorous certification process which ensures that their students are getting the most thorough and up to date information available.
The program you choose should also offer classes in your area of interest. If you’re primarily interested in a specialty area, such as computer controls, auto body or alternative fuels make sure the school you choose can accommodate you. If you want basic skills, be sure that their entry level classes cover appropriate material. The best way to determine if a school or program is for you is to research it – look over their class listings, visit the site and talk to teachers and students.
- CERTIFICATIONS and LICENSES: It is very important that you obtain ASE certifications. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was established in 1972 to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the voluntary testing and certification of technicians and other automotive service professionals. For more information, click to go to the ASE website.
ASE offers testing and certification in a variety of automotive work. There are tests for parts suppliers, auto technicians, auto body technicians, machinists, heavy truck, school bus and transit bus technicians. For each specialty, there are several separate tests. For each test you pass, you will receive a certification and if you pass all the tests in a series, you will be awarded the Master Technician certification. There are eight tests in the automotive technician series – each in a different subject area and you must pass all eight to receive the Master Tech certification. You may register for these tests while you are still in school, but you must have two years of automotive experience to receive the actual certification.
Tests are offered several times a year. Registration, testing and certification are done through ASE, not your school. You may retake tests you didn’t pass and you maY take only the tests that you want.
These tests are voluntary – ASE certification is not required by every employer, but there are a number of advantages to earning these certifications. Earning a subject certification shows employers that you are competent in your subject area, that you have good reading and communication skills and that you are dedicated to improving in the automotive field. Many employers will offer pay increases dependent on the number of certifications you hold. And wearing the ASE patch on your uniform shows everyone that you are knowledgeable in your field.
Certifications and licenses are also available for specialty fields of study. You may choose to earn your Smog License, which will allow you to perform emissions tests in a variety of shops. You could test for a Brake and Lamp License through the State of California. You may also take classes offered by various auto manufacturers to get the most up-to-date information about their makes and models. Any outside certifications that you add to your education will help you advance in the industry.
- EXPERIENCE: You will most assuredly need on-the-job experience to excel in the automotive world. Many students feel that they “don’t know enough” to get a job while they are in school and prefer to wait until they’ve completed their program before applying for work. However, real world experience is critical to your success in the industry. You will do better in school and perform better on the job if you obtain a part-time job in the field of your choice while you are still in school.
Your school program or individual teachers can often help place you in a job if you ask. Depending on the job market, entry level or part time jobs can be hard to obtain – this is where your education, certifications and recommendations from teachers or other employers will put you ahead of other candidates. Don’t be afraid to try – every successful technician has stood in your shoes at some point and there are a lot of people who will support you!
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