Automotive Schooling

[Young Gun]

Mods, please move where appropriate.

Well I did my search here and really did not come up with any helpful results, so I am hoping to get some imput from everybody here. Basically I am planning/ hoping to spend the next year at an automotive institute of some sort, and I am trying to figure out which would teach me the most. At this point I have narrowed it down to three places, UTI, Wyotech, and Metal Craft Skill Center. This is my thinking on each, so let me know where im wrong:

UTI: I really have not heard great things about their program. To be completely fair, I have heard neither great things, nor horrible things, I just havent heard too much. I am looking to learn metal work and fabrication; I do not know anything regarding their autobody refinishing classes but the limited things I have heard have not been great. I have only heard things second hand, and do not know anything myself so I am trying to be as open minded as possible.

Wyotech: I have heard mixed results, but generally, what I understand is, if you put in the effort and want to learn you will. The cons to Wyotech from what I have heard is that the chassis fabrication and hotrod fabrication classes are kind of a joke. Again, trying to be fair, if somebody else here can attest to the program I am more than happy to listen. One of my buddies had his cage built by a Wyotech grad who is another one of his buddies and it passed all the certifications, but that is the most personal account I have heard. Overall though, I have heard of plenty of people being well qualified coming out of the program so I do not want to pass judgement too quickly.

Metal Craft Skill Center: I know less about this program than the other when it comes to second hand opinions. All that I really know about the program is what is outlined on their website. From what I have read it seems to cover much of what I am looking for. Unfortunately I do not know anything about how well qualified their graduates are in the eyes of employers, or graduates themselves.

So, I need some input from the shop owners who have worked with grads, graduates who had applied the skills they have been taught, or anybody who has first hand experience with these programs or can suggest another program that will teach me what I want to know.

Thanks

[Andrew McBride]

Here is another one: http://www.mcpherson.edu/technology/

this is a 4 year school that offers auto restoration as a major.

Don't know much about the school, but it sounds pretty cool.

[68byrd]

I completed the automotive technology program at UTI about 6 years ago. I don't know of any metal fab/ body progams offered by UTI. I know that I learned a lot from the program. I also attented graduate school with a couple of guys from Wyotech. Just from talking with them, I would say that Wyotech is a pretty good place to start for what you want to do. That is just my opinion. They really seemed to know their stuff. I'm sorry if this is vague. I can say that the instructors that I had at UTI were pretty good and they taught the information well. It sounds like you know what you want to do and that is a great start. I am really glad that I went to school. Being trained correctly in your chosen profession will make your job much, much easier. Plus you tend to make money, which never hurts. Good Luck! Sorry if this doesn't help much.

[Pro Stock]

Mods, please move where appropriate.

Well I did my search here and really did not come up with any helpful results, so I am hoping to get some imput from everybody here. Basically I am planning/ hoping to spend the next year at an automotive institute of some sort, and I am trying to figure out which would teach me the most. At this point I have narrowed it down to three places, UTI, Wyotech, and Metal Craft Skill Center. This is my thinking on each, so let me know where im wrong:

UTI: I really have not heard great things about their program. To be completely fair, I have heard neither great things, nor horrible things, I just havent heard too much. I am looking to learn metal work and fabrication; I do not know anything regarding their autobody refinishing classes but the limited things I have heard have not been great. I have only heard things second hand, and do not know anything myself so I am trying to be as open minded as possible.

Wyotech: I have heard mixed results, but generally, what I understand is, if you put in the effort and want to learn you will. The cons to Wyotech from what I have heard is that the chassis fabrication and hotrod fabrication classes are kind of a joke. Again, trying to be fair, if somebody else here can attest to the program I am more than happy to listen. One of my buddies had his cage built by a Wyotech grad who is another one of his buddies and it passed all the certifications, but that is the most personal account I have heard. Overall though, I have heard of plenty of people being well qualified coming out of the program so I do not want to pass judgement too quickly.

Metal Craft Skill Center: I know less about this program than the other when it comes to second hand opinions. All that I really know about the program is what is outlined on their website. From what I have read it seems to cover much of what I am looking for. Unfortunately I do not know anything about how well qualified their graduates are in the eyes of employers, or graduates themselves.

So, I need some input from the shop owners who have worked with grads, graduates who had applied the skills they have been taught, or anybody who has first hand experience with these programs or can suggest another program that will teach me what I want to know.

Thanks


Have you checked out The NASCAR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ?
I think that they might be affiliated with UTI but I'm not sure.
They are located in Mooresville NC not to far from DSE. I hear that they are a bit pricey but I have heard of some people aquiring enough skill to land entry level jobs in NASCAR shops in the past, you probably would have a hard time landing a job in the area right now due to the economy but it sounds like you would learn the skills that you are looking for, maybe you could land a part time job at DSE or Mike's while you go to school. There are seven Pro Stock shops in the area, The Jeg's/Cagnazzi team has an in house chassis shop of it's own.

Dale

Dale

[Young Gun]

Here is another one: http://www.mcpherson.edu/technology/ (http://www.mcpherson.edu/technology/)

this is a 4 year school that offers auto restoration as a major.

Don't know much about the school, but it sounds pretty cool.

Andrew,
That is awesome! I am definitely gonna be looking into that. Looks to be what I am looking for. Thanks for sharing that!


I completed the automotive technology program at UTI about 6 years ago. I don't know of any metal fab/ body progams offered by UTI. I know that I learned a lot from the program. I also attented graduate school with a couple of guys from Wyotech. Just from talking with them, I would say that Wyotech is a pretty good place to start for what you want to do. That is just my opinion. They really seemed to know their stuff. I'm sorry if this is vague. I can say that the instructors that I had at UTI were pretty good and they taught the information well. It sounds like you know what you want to do and that is a great start. I am really glad that I went to school. Being trained correctly in your chosen profession will make your job much, much easier. Plus you tend to make money, which never hurts. Good Luck! Sorry if this doesn't help much.

I think their metal fab courses are somewhat new, but I really appreciate your imput, great to hear something from a grad! Thanks!


Have you checked out The NASCAR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ?
I think that they might be affiliated with UTI but I'm not sure.
They are located in Mooresville NC not to far from DSE. I hear that they are a bit pricey but I have heard of some people aquiring enough skill to land entry level jobs in NASCAR shops in the past, you probably would have a hard time landing a job in the area right now due to the economy but it sounds like you would learn the skills that you are looking for, maybe you could land a part time job at DSE or Mike's while you go to school. There are seven Pro Stock shops in the area, The Jeg's/Cagnazzi team has an in house chassis shop of it's own.

Dale


I think it is affiliated about UTI, but I am not sure that the NASCAR program is what I am looking for. I am going to look into it a bit more though. Thanks for the suggestion!

[lipe33]

I shoulld be able to give an accurate account of the WyoTech experience, as I have completed every course they offer.

WyoTech offers three main core programs: Automotive, Diesel, and Collision and Refinishing. Any and all courses may be added to the core progam of your choosing.

The common misconception of students entering to ANY trade school is that they will leave a master of a particular trade. This could not be farther from the truth. The reality of trade schools is that they give the student a solid foundation of core skills upon which they will develop into a an advanced knowledge of their chosen trade.

I do not mean for this to discourage you from persuing WyoTech, or any other trade school for that matter. You should just be aware of the reality of the situation, rather than what a school recruiter may try to push.

As with most things in life, you get back what you put in. For example, after completing the Advanced Diesel program at the top of my class I was recruited to work for Caterpillar R&D as an experimintal mechanic. Was this because I am the very best mechanic in the world? No. What set me apart from the rest was the rock solid foundation I received from my time WyoTech, and the drive to do the very best I can.

If you wish to continue this discussion through PM I would be more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have about WyoTech. If not, I wish you the very best on your educational endevour.