Becoming a certified tech

I have been in the automotive field for the past 6 years and I’m looking to broaden my horizons and begin working on the cars I dream of building one day. I’m wondering where should I get my start? School isn’t really my best thing and I feel like finding someone to work for and start from the ground up might be the way to go. If anyone could help me on getting some knowledge on how to get my start that would be greatly appreciated.

 

If this is something that you really want to do then I suggest that you go back to school. You are going to need your certifications to touch any car, let alone a Ferrari.
You're only 22 you have plenty of time and it won't take long. It is important to get a good foundation IMO.

 

Yep, otherwise you're going to need a source of income, which takes away your time from learning on your own.
A pre planned rigid course that forces you to learn, like tech school (as opposed to self study, which is rife with likely distractions).

May i also suggest aircraft mechanic school (A&P, airframe and powerplant), which gives you an incredible certification, while also giving you top skills for auto mechanics....and A&P hourly prices are astronomical! All airplanes REQUIRE routine checks which REQUIRE an AP licensed mechanic to certify the work! Indispensable.

 

As both a Master Craftsman and Mechanic, I offer one simply piece of advice....never stop learning. If you do stop learning you will grow old rather quickly.

 

that’s something I will never stop is learning especially in this trade because cars are my passion

 

That’s what I was kinda thinking but I hate book work and there isn’t any schools in my area that specialize on exotic vehicles

 

I’ve gone to school for general auto and also heavy duty diesel and aircraft was a thought but I want to dive into the foreign cars and get certified for them before I move into another technical field like that

 

If you follow your passion, you will never work a day in your life. Been doing it for 50 years. Enjoyed every minute of it. But like a things, time changes us. With it we find new things to enjoy.

 

Where are you located?
one of the best voc tech programs in the country is in Shoreline Washington State.
its at Shoreline community college and it is sponsored by:
Tesla
Chevrolet
Toyota
Chevrolet
Honda
You will be sponsored by a dealer which means you work at a dealer while going to school and have a job upon graduation.
I would urge you to look into it. It is the only program in the country I will consider technicians from.

 

I’m from Missouri and I checked them out before I went to the state tech of Missouri which is best in the Midwest for their auto and diesel which I have done. Now yes they are great school and sponsored by solid brands but I’m looking to get my foot into exotics not general automotive

 

You're not going to learn to work on exotic vehicles at a school, but you will learn the foundation for how things work in cars, which applies to exotics. Once you get the foundation down and your certifications you then can go court exotic dealerships as an apprentice. It sounds like you're looking for a shortcut. There isn't one.

 

Best way I learned was found a small dedicated shop on the particular brand, Ferrari, and learned as much as I could. Essentially becoming an asset (instead of a liability). Enjoyed the experiences while I was 16-25yr old.

As I learned more in life, along with engineering and business, it occurred to me working on vehicles is a hard life. You are essentially selling every hour of your life for $$ and it takes a physical toll on you. I started working smarter than harder, knowing I could sell a commodity/service for X more than I was making per hour wrenching.

The experiences of wrenching on the exotic cars are very enjoyable due to the technology/engineering, and the owners. It's a great perspective to network and learn, but I would not suggest working on vehicles as a living for decades.

 

I have gotten my foundation down that’s why I’m looking to build onto it with higher end vehicles so I’ll enjoy working on cars even more then I already do. Only thing left that I haven’t learned about is high end vehicles, airplanes, and rockets. Along with trains but they are like big 18 wheelers on tracks in a sense.

 

my plan is to one day have my own custom shop for them because I know I’ll beat myself more then I already have if I continue in this trade for any longer

 

Patrick: Having worked both hands on then becoming a OEM technical rep until my retirement I have worked with many technicians.
The tech's that can accurately diagnose a symptom without throwing the kitchen sink in parts are few and far between.
There has been very good advise given to you...one mentioned there is no short cut to your goals however you stated one thing that stands out for me...Passion
This will be the fuel that drives you to be the best and stand out from the average.
My advice: Get a solid foundation when it comes to knowledge. I used to say in the field and meetings I held you cant fix anything until you understand how it works. If your knowledge base of the fundamentals are rock solid go to a OEM brand of your choice and tell the owner and service manager you want to work there because you LOVE that brand and are willing to work for free just for the opportunity. I promise you that will grab their attention.
Like you I still have a deep passion for cars and the technical aspect...I don't see it fading away anytime soon.
Its a great field and there is allot of room to grow.
I wish you the best of luck.!!

 

I agree.........many years ago when I put myself under extreme pressure by owning a few vintage Jaguars I hired a guy who was an aircraft mechanic to work on the cars in my garage. It generally took him longer to unload his tools and get set up than it did to fix a car.

 

I know you said you didn't want to go to school, but at least take a look at this -

https://www.mcpherson.edu/programs/auto-restoration/

 

Windsock (Mark) is too modest to mention that he is a topflight Ferrari tech, so I'll say it for him. Master tech at Ferrari of Seattle, Technical Director for a 458/488 Ferrari Challenge team with Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo and now has his own shop in Arlington, WA. I trusted my 355 F1 Berlinetta to him and his associates at FoS for 9 years, and he has worked on my current F430. If he wasn't 200+ miles away, I would be a regular customer. Not sure how he got into maintaining Ferraris but I think he started with something more pedestrian and worked his way up.

There are many highly qualified techs on FerrariChat. Listen to their advice. Best of Luck with your future.

 

If you have a passion for cars..the worst thing you can do is become a mechanic. I still enjoy the work..but I do not enjoy cars like I once did. The last thing on mind is to go to a car show etc.

Educate yourself enough to be competent working with tools and understanding the basics. Keep it a passion. But please do not make it a career. There are much better jobs out there that will pay you enough to endulge in your passion.

 

Well said

A 10 hour job will quickly make you lose the passion

Pursue a career that allows you to buy a few and then make it a hobby to fix etc ... That will keep the passion alive and make you want to fix / drive them ..



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