Becoming a mechanic, or as the profession is also called, an 'automotive technician' gives you a skilled trade, which not only means you may have access to a subsidized education through apprenticeship grants, but also a good chance of finding employment once you graduate. With the constantly growing number of licensed drivers, an automotive career gives you a reliable source of employment regardless of the state of the economy. However, people looking into how to become a mechanic have a several step process ahead of them, starting with finding a mechanic school and funding, but including four years of practical, hands-on work experience for full trade certification.
Choosing the right mechanic program:
Mechanic programs are provided through community colleges or vocational schools. Prospective students must consider the location, cost and facilities. It is a good idea to tour the campus to see what sort of hands on experience you will get, and speak with instructors, and if possible, past students. While options vary, you will find there is a mechanic school in almost every town or city. Once you've found a school and applied, your time will be spent learning all about cars, their working and how to keep them running and in good repair. Your training might be as an automotive service technician, which is more focused on the inner workings of the car, or on the equally essential alignment and breaks or the auto body and post-collision repair.
Looking for education funding:
As well as the usual post-secondary options of government and private student loans, federal and provincial level long-term work force planning mean that there are further grants and bursaries available to facilitate your education in a mechanic program. These include money set aside to encourage non-traditional careers and trade grants, and are well detailed in federal and provincial websites, but your mechanic school will usually have a dedicated financial aid office committed to finding you the means to pay for your training, which will walk you through all your options.
Certification:
The certification process starts with a certification of qualification or registering as an apprentice. With your time in your mechanic program completed, you will need an employer to sign off on your competencies, which you will demonstrate through working for them, applying what you learned during auto technician training. After this period of employment, generally lasting four years, you will receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship. Then there's one more step: challenging the trade examination to get a Certificate of Qualification, and then you're a fully-fledged mechanic.
The path from auto mechanic programs to full certification is lengthy and involves lots of work, but unlike many education options, not only is there special education funding set aside for trades, but the work component of your apprenticeship will be paid, making this an affordable option for the technically inclined. And, once you're done you have a skill to start your own business with or easily find an in-demand job.
No matter where you live, these vital steps will likely be part of your journey towards becoming a mechanic. Now all you have to do is suit up and get your hands dirty! Good luck!
