Ford Repair: tech schools, pittsburg state university pittsburg ks, pittsburg state university

Question

Linclon tech is where my son decided to begin his automotive career. He is just about done. Now I wonder if he is really prepared to be working on someones auto unsupervised. He lacks self confidence.  Do dealerships and/or unions have apprenticeship programs?  

Also, what are the basic tools needed to get started?

Thanks,  Mary

Answer
Mary-

  Most automotive companies/businesses have some sort of internship program for pre-graduates or new graduates.  I'm currently in my 3rd year of my 4 year automotive technology degree at Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg, KS....not Pittsburgh, PA) and they throw a lot of internships around here.  Most are for companies like Toyota or John Deere and Caterpillar (we have an extensive diesel/heavy equipment program as well).  Any good school should be able to set your son up with some companies who'd be interested in taking on an intern.  As for tools, just raid a Craftsman catalog of all of it's basic hand tools.  Most important are of course wrenches and ratchets with as many different sized sockets as you can find as well as pliers, snips, and a few specialized tools like flare wrenches and snap ring pliers.  Expect to spend anywhere from $500-$1,000 just for starters.  He can acquire more stuff as needed.  Some of my older mechanic friends have close to $500,000 in personal tools that they've aquired over a lifetime...it's scary really.

As for your son's confidence, just tell him that being a mechanic is a lot like being a doctor...eventually you're going to screw up.  Everyone does.  But if everyone stopped just because they screwed up a few times, no one would be around to fix cars.  I've been doing this professionally for about 5 years and I've fixed my share of my own mistakes.  It just comes with the territory of taking educated guesses.  Hope this helps.

Steve