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Bus Repair and Service Education and Training

Learn to work in the bus repair and service industry

By Terri Deno
Bus maintenance training will prepare people to work with a variety of large automobiles. Many who repair buses work with school buses, but they also have the opportunity to work with shuttle buses, charter, buses and even luxury touring buses. To work in bus repair, a person must develop the skills needed to repair any type of motorized vehicle, plus additional skills to work specifically with buses.

Whether it's shuttle or school bus repair, a technician must learn skills that include routine maintenance, knowledge of diagnostic tools, and safety guidelines that apply to these vehicles. You can find bus repair and service education and training opportunities through:

1. Vocational training that teaches the basics of mechanics for large vehicles.

2. Seminars and workshops provided by a bus repair shop or organization.

3. Online courses for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.

 

Learn how to fix a bus through vocational programs

Many vocational programs exist for auto mechanics. But to get the skills necessary to work on large vehicles, you need to have specific training in heavy machinery and buses. Many vocational schools and programs do offer these courses in conjunction with regular auto mechanics courses.
Try: Miami Lakes Educational Center offers people as young as 16 years old the opportunity to train as maintenance and repair technicians for buses and heavy duty trucks. Universal Technical Institute provides a comprehensive, hands-on training program designed for buses and other diesel equipment.

Attend seminars for bus repair service that teach additional skills

Anyone who has completed a vocational program can go to work directly for any bus repair shop. But to make your skills more marketable, attend seminars that teach additional skills. Seminars can also provide you the opportunity to work with the latest technology in bus repair systems.
Try: Auto Safety House provides seminars on a variety of bus repair topics, including sessions designed for different electrical and mechanical systems on buses. Nelson's Bus Service offers seminars and workshops that provide troubleshooting topics for bus repair.

Earn certification for repairing a bus

A degree from a vocational program is just one type of certification you can get for bus repair. Others include certification for specialized systems, including electrical and air conditioning. You may also decide on an ASE certification, which provides you with additional merit when seeking out new customers.
Try: The National Institute for Auto Service Excellence provides online tools and test prep features to become an ASE-certified technician. Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation (FACT) provides certification in air conditioner repair for buses, which can be an asset when working with charter or luxury buses.

 

  • If you plan to work in a large bus repair facility, it may be to your advantage to train for a particular bus system, such as the engine, electrical or suspension systems.

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