You know you want to make repairing cars your career, and you know you need to go to a good school for it. Picking the best school for auto repair—one that’ll prepare you for every aspect of the job—can feel difficult, so start your search by looking for a school with the following qualities.
It’s Accredited and Certified
Mechanic schools that are accredited and have certifications are a good place to begin. Look for automotive schools that are certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). If a school is certified by the NATEF, then it has proven that its students are prepared to take on all aspects of their job, from complex automotive systems through soft-skills, like communication.
Offers Practical Learning
Classroom hours are one thing, but auto mechanic students can learn even more by actually working on cars. Schools that provide practical learning, meaning you are doing more than just reading a textbook, are ideal and necessary for mechanics. The better prepared you are with hands-on automotive skills, the better prepared you'll be when you join the workforce.
Gives Hood to Trunk Instruction
With every new model, technology increases. Make sure the school you're considering is ahead of the curve and providing bumper-to-bumper instruction. You'll need to learn about the latest safety and luxury features cars have, not to mention, the differing mechanical components of each model.
Gets You Connected
Life is so much easier when you have connections. Your school should be well-connected too. What is the school's graduation rate? Does it offer employment assistance? Find a program that offers job placement — even if you don't end up needing it, it's a good resource to have at hand.
Strong Careers Start with Good Schooling
Choosing a top auto repair school for your education means you’ll be able to enter the workforce with confidence. You’ll have great training in the classroom and the garage, and you will feel ready to take your tests for certifications at the end of the program.
Use our tips above to narrow down and evaluate where you will go to school. Want help? Enter your zip code to find a school near you.
