Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Auto Fundamentals 10 Manufacturer-sponsored training programs at certain schools offer high-level technician training only on their vehicle models, so keep this in mind when choosing a postsecondary school. Courses are most often taught by retired automotive service technicians or profes- sionals still working in the career field. Before selecting any school or college, check to see whether the school meets your needs. Things to check while researching a potential school include: what is the school’s reputation within the industry, does the school offer the courses you need, does it have qualified instructors and up-to-date equipment, does it have a job placement agency for graduates, and how advanced is the training offered. Also look into tuition costs and the availability of financial aid, if necessary. Schools usually post much of this information on their websites. To locate additional or absent information, visit or contact the school’s admissions office and request a tour of the automotive facilities. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau in the city that the school is located, contact the labor union to which the technicians in the area of the school belong (if applicable), and get in touch with the Vocational Department of the State Department of Education for more information. A thorough investigation of the potential school will be worth your time and effort. Armed Forces If you decide to join and serve in one of the armed forces, you may be able to receive train- ing in automotive technology as well as many related mechanical trades. Training is mostly concerned with military equipment, and some of it is not relevant to the civilian service market. However, the general information and skills that you learn will be applicable to any automotive job. The training that the military offers puts you on the road to becoming a good technician. Information regarding training in the armed forces is available on the particular service’s website, but visiting your local recruiting agent or office is often most beneficial, especially if you have questions about the program or enlisting. Apprenticeship Programs Many technicians learn the trade by enrolling in an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship programs are a combination of on-the-job training and classroom study. Apprentices spend part of their time working at a repair shop under the supervision of trained technicians, Figure 1-12, and part of their time attending classes in automotive subject areas. Some apprentice- ship programs give credit for previous training and experience. Many graduates get hired by the shops where they worked as an apprentice. To learn more or to enter an apprenticeship program, contact or visit the websites of employers in the trade, local labor unions, or local government agencies as necessary. Getting a Job in the Automotive Industry At any given time, there are many automotive industry jobs available in the job market. The problem exists in matching the right applicant to the right job when it is available. There are essentially two hurdles to getting a job: finding a job opening and successfully applying for and being offered the job. Guidance and suggestions for overcoming these hur- dles and presenting the best you to potential employers are given in the following sections. gpointstudio/Shutterstock.com Figure 1-12. This apprentice is working closely with the experienced technician on the right. Such on-the-job training gives the apprentice some of the real-life experience needed to become a skilled technician.