The automotive industry is booming, and becoming more technologically-advanced every day. It is certainly a great advantage for mechanics-to-be to seek higher education in the automotive field, and also to continue that education to stay on the cutting edge of the trade. Now, automotive enthusiasts have the opportunity to turn their passion into a great career through online degree programs in car-care fields.
“It's the way to the future,” said Bill Kersten, President of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) that accredits automotive programs and offers automotive certification. “While both traditional and online training offer advantages, if the online program is quality training, then the flexibility is fantastic.”
How Online Automotive Programs Work
Students enrolled in online automotive programs will typically have all necessary materials available to them on the Internet and through downloads. Additional materials may be mailed out for the student to have a means of studying independent of the Internet, if necessary. If students have questions, they can contact their instructor through e-mail or make an educational support phone call. Examinations are completed online and students move forward once they've completed their chapter testing.
Certification and continuing education programs are also available online for working mechanics, auto body professionals, and automotive instructors.
“The big advantage of online education is the convenience of not having to physically go to a location,” said Kersten. “There are a number of organizations that provide online training. We do allow it to count towards our instructors' annual training, and ASE-certified programs helps technicians keep up with technology changes within the industry.”
ASE certification is good for a five-year period, and then must be earned through testing again. See the ASE Test Preparation page for informationa on online test preparation.
Online Automotive Schools
The following are some of the options available to automotive students and professionals for online study:
- PCDI - offers an online auto mechanic program.
- Penn Foster Career School - offers career diplomas for auto body repair, auto detailing, auto repair technician, diesel mechanics, small engine repair, and motorcycle repair technician.
- I-CAR - an ASE-certified training provider offering online training and a virtual classroom.
- The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) - facilitates automotive information exchange through continuing education programs.
- Bergwall - offers a wide array of online courses, test preparation, and classes pertaining to the automotive industry and ASE certification.
- Autoshop 101 - offers several free online tutorials, online practice tests and technical articles.
“Ours is an interactive training program that lasts from 45 minutes to an hour,” said Jordan Nichols of I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair. “Taking the classes online is like going to college, but less intense. Companies look for I-CAR training in employees, so technicians want to get as much as possible.”
Graduates of I-CAR programs, for example, receive a certificate of training upon completion of a course, which may be a great help in finding a job or gaining a promotion.
Program Costs
Costs of online automotive training vary widely, depending on the depth of the class or program.
“Our classes are a flat $45 fee, and students get to see a free demonstration of the course on the web page to determine if it's right for them before enrolling,” said Nichols.
Online diplomas offered through PCDI and Penn Foster cost about $1000, but discounts both institutions offer (depending on payment plan) can substantially lower that fee. While the cost may not be an appealing factor in some cases, students should remember that their tuition is the opportunity cost to a solid automotive career.
Employment
Between the present and 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that Auto Body Repair Technicians will experience a 13% increase in new jobs, and automotive technicians should see a 12% increase in the same time period. Automotive graduates will enjoy a growing, varied, and challenging career in their choice automotive field, and may choose to one day run their own business, for ultimate flexibility and financial potential.
Summary
Individuals interested in automotive work and automotive professionals may not have ever considered online study an option, but diplomas and online continuing education opportunities will only multiply in the future. Students will likely find online programs and classes to be the simplest, most cost-effective, and most flexible option into the vehicle repair or maintenance job of their choice.
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