Automotive education is always in demand for those looking to break into the auto industry with automotive technician training, and others wanting to advance their careers with automotive certification courses. Whether you are looking for an entry-level position, senior mechanic opportunities or a move up into management, you’ll need to stay on top of the field with an automotive education and training industry overview so that you can take advantage of the latest and most available automotive technician training.

Look for a local automotive training institute or automotive school to get a hands-on automotive mechanic education or keep up with the latest in automotive online training. Find automotive technician training information on auto mechanic school websites and through trade associations. Subscribe to automotive education schools newsletter and publications to stay on top of the latest automotive training classes. Find a number of ways to learn about the automobile training industry.

1. Find the leading automotive education schools

2. Look for online automotive education

3. Investigate automotive certification courses through trade associations

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stick with accredited automotive training classes

New automotive education schools are opening regularly who claim to offer the best automotive education and training. Some automotive education sites make promises that may be difficult to uphold. You should shop around and consider how long a company has been providing automotive technician training. Ask for references and call them. Inquire among your peers about the various auto repair shops that you might be interested in working for.

I recommend: Penn Foster has been offering distance education courses for auto industry jobs since 1890. Its online courses are well-respected in the industry and they have a wide variety of courses that you can take for various training certificates. Bergwall is another older institution that is keeping up with the times with online courses for every level of automotive mechanic education.

Get your certificates through automotive online training

Make sure the degrees and certificates your receive online are welcomed by employers. Look for industry stamps of approval and expect to pay for your certifications. Free offers can help with the tests you'll have to take, but legitimate certification offers require work and fees.

I recommend: The National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is the recognized certification body for technicians and offers study guides and its tests online. Auto Shop 101 is one of the newer websites for automotive online training that offers ASE free tutorials that can help you pass your exams, as well as other industry articles and overview materials. Courses taken through the Advanced Technology Institute are certified by the ASE and the NATEF, both supplying industry-wide standards.

Learn about automotive mechanic education from the pros

While you are looking to advance your career through automotive training classes, you also should be cultivating industry relationships that can help you advance. Those same connections can offer you valuable information and direction as your collect the resources for your automotive education and training industry overview.

I recommend: Get newsletters, updates and automotive certification courses while meeting industry experts through the Automotive Service Association. Join the Automotive Management Institute for information about advanced certifications that can help to propel your career into a better position.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Once you've landed a good position, keep up with your automotive certification courses to make sure your skills remain marketable as auto technology changes.

With all the technological advances in the automotive industry, automotive education means more than just on the job training. With fierce competition to take the lead, automotive companies want the most well trained automotive technicians available.

Automotive technician training courses prepare automotive workers to test, diagnose and repair cars, trucks and other vehicles. Certified automotive technicians are always in high demand from manufacturers who provide warranty care for both new and used cars and trucks.

Attending automotive school at a well recognized automotive training institute puts you ahead of the pack when it comes to getting the best jobs. Advanced operating systems require more of the best training than ever before, so certification from a respected program is a must. Going to automotive school can turn your love of cars and trucks into a satisfying career. Highly skilled and certified technicians are always in high demand at the best garages and dealership maintenance facilities.

Automotive technician training from a quality automotive training institute will:

1. Prepare technicians to diagnose and repair motor vehicles.
2. Provide certification to service automobiles.
3. Give proper training in advanced operating systems.
4. Provide highly skilled workers advancement in the manufacturing sector.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Pick an auto mechanic school with the latest in computer diagnostics training

Both new and used automobiles have complex computer operating systems. High quality automotive education schools provide training in all aspects of automotive design and repair, including computer systems.

I recommend: Universal Technical Institute is a nationally recognized program that offers the latest in both training and certification as an automotive technician. They have several locations throughout the country.

Choose auto education that leads to certification for specific vehicle service

Auto manufacturers want highly trained and certified technicians for their vehicles. Full service dealerships must provide the highest level of service for both new and used cars under warranty.

I recommend: The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) provides testing for certification in several areas of automotive service and can let you know if your prospective automotive training classes prepare students for their rigorous testing programs.

Look for automotive online training programs offering advanced system training

Automotive online training programs offer continuing education in advanced operating systems for technicians wanting advanced training. Online automotive education allows experienced technicians to stay up to date on automotive trends.

I recommend: Gatlin Educational Services offers distance learning and online programs for modern automotive service technician.

Research educational requirements for automotive manufacturing positions

Automotive education increases your visibility in the manufacturing sector. Workers at entry level factory positions move up more quickly with previous training and experience in automotive education.

I recommend: The Ford Motor Company’s hiring procedure portion of their website gives you an idea of how more automotive education and training can serve you. Visit any automaker’s website for similar information on hiring requirements.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for garages and dealership service locations that offer continuing automotive education as a part of your benefits package. Quality garages looking for long term employees will offer education expense reimbursement for their employees.

Automotive education can give you a variety of skill sets to advance your career. Whether you are looking to get your foot in the door and are just starting out or you are ready to move into management, an automotive training institute can provide automotive technician training to help you succeed. Through an automotive school, you can get those certificates that will help you move into a more profitable position within your current company or in a new operation.

Automotive online training courses allow you to stay in your current position and take automotive training classes when your schedule permits. Add automotive certification courses to your resume when they are earned. Ask your current employer to pay for automobile training that will help you advance within the company. There are a number of ways in which you can be using automotive education and training.

1. Use automotive mechanic education to get your first job

2. Use automotive technician training to add specialties to your resume

3. Use automotive education schools to move into management

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find entry-level automotive training classes

Get into the business with the most basic technical training so that you can add experience to your resume that will help you move up in your career. Most advanced automotive certification courses require that you've got the basic down. Even if you start our changing oil or rotating tires, your basic auto education will set you apart from other newcomers to the trade.

I recommend: Contact the AYT Institute to get started in your career in the auto repair industry. With their technical degree, you can land an entry-level position with confidence. Find a local auto mechanic school near you at Trade Schools.net.

Add automotive certification courses to your resume

Especially once you've added a few years of the on-the-job experience to your resume, you should consider upgrading your skills with specialized training so that you can expand your field of expertise and earn more money. Advanced certificates will add up and bring you a greater level of success in your career.

I recommend: The Tire Industry Association offers a few specialized automotive certification courses that can help you succeed with the added skills. Log on for a free demo of the specialized automotive online training courses offered at I-CAR.

Move up with automotive education and training

One way of moving up into management is to get a general business degree. You also can get specialized auto management courses or get into teaching with advanced auto industry degrees. Consider using automotive education and training to get you into management, sales and other white-collar jobs in the industry.

I recommend: Check out the College of Automotive Management for training in management and finance for the auto industry. The Fleet Management Association promotes a number of programs that allow members to advance in their auto careers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider using automotive education and training as a channel to change careers while you work in an industry that is not fulfilling. For example, if you're in a desk job and would prefer working with your hands, check out online auto training courses and make a change.

The field of automotive education training is large. Trade schools, community colleges and universities offer a number of different programs to help prepare students to enter the world of automotive repair and engineering. One of the growing areas in this industry is the alternative fuel vehicle technician degree. Programs like automotive engineering and automotive management are still very popular.

Action Steps
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Alternative fuel vehicle technician, AFV technician

An AFV technician specializes in repairing vehicles that run on alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and electricity. These individuals may also help convert standard vehicles to alternative fuels. Technicians who obtain these degrees often want to play a role in helping the environment.

I recommend: The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation offers a thorough look at this degree program.

Automotive engineering degree

An automotive engineering degree is a four-year program where students learn all aspects of the engineering process, including metallurgy, dynamometer testing, developing new technologies and automotive design.

I recommend: Ferris State University provides a look at this degree program, which is available at many state colleges and universities.

Automotive management

Students may earn an accredited automotive manager (AAM) designation by completing programs in automotive management. These courses are often specialized, including programs for service advisers or parts managers. Students learn managerial skills in all applications.

I recommend: The Automotive Management Institute provides a look at all of these designations in automotive management educational programs.

Automotive service and parts specialist

An automotive service and parts specialist will need an education in areas such as automotive system operations. These individuals may work in management level positions in automotive stores.

I recommend: Tidewater Community College lists the curriculum involved in obtaining an automotive service and parts specialist degree.

Collision repair and auto body training

Those who wish to work in automotive body repair may wish to consider an education in collision repair and auto body training. Individuals in these programs will learn auto body construction and surface prep. They will learn about the design process, as well as welding and cutting skills.

I recommend: Lincoln Educational Services has a program offering collision repair and auto body training.

High performance and racing engine technicians

Those who love speed may wish to get into a career as a high performance and racing engine technician. This type of specialized degree is often available through trade schools. Individuals will learn how to install parts and repair them. Engine repair and maintenance are often important aspects. Students also learn how to add power to engines and to tune them for high performance.

I recommend: BeeLineWeb offers a better look at high performance and racing engines technicians programs.