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Hi,
I am seriously thinking of taking an online automotive course from either Ashworth College or Penn Foster. I work full time so this would better fit my schedule. I realize hands-on schooling would be a stronger reinforcement tool, but I think I will go to a shop and see if they would allow me to work a few nights and get hands on experience like that. What do you guys think?
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hands on experience in my opinion is extremely important when it comes too learning how too work on cars, you got too learn how a car ticks, you have to learn too turn a wrence, you got too understand how this business works. shops are looking for experienced technicians, the only way i truly believe online corses will be effective is if you can apply what you have learned in a shop setting, CDX online is one thing i did while i was in school but i did it in conjunction with other things!
I also work full time in a completely unrelated field and don’t have the time for hands on in class training, but wanted to get more knowledge to be able to work on my own cars and eventually do a restoration project. I know hands on training would be better but it wouldn’t fit my schedule so I signed up for Penn Fosters Automotive tech program and I’ve been very impressed so far. I’d definitely suggest it if you don’t have the schedule to do a hands on class. As for how shops will respect the fact that you took the class online…I’m not sure about that, but if you can do the job and do it well you can prove it for yourself. Just my 2 cents…
I think hands-on experience is leap years ahead of any on-line schooling. It’s not that schooling does not have a place in the equation but what I don’t like is the often promoted perception that if someone takes the course they will be a knowledgeable mechanic at the end. Far from it. There has to be a desire and some inherent knack for wrenching.
I seem to remember some studies from years ago which found that experienced mechanics who attended service schools or seminars only retained about 20% of what they were taught so its reasonable to assume that an inexperienced person would not retain anywhere near that much.
An online college maybe good for book knowledge, but it won’t teach you how to turn wrenches without breaking $&!#.
Hi,
I haven’t been online in a while because of the online classes I am taking. The lasses are from Ashworth college and I am enjoying them. I try to supplement the classes with the videos from ETCG and that is helping. I filled out a job application online for pep boys for some part time job because hands on is the best way. In an hour I got a call. The service manager I talked to was very nice and he was going to try to talk me into full time. I am still looking for something part time and PEP Boys would be ideal since their service department closes at 8 pm. My point: if I get something part time then that would solve the hands on experience. Good luck with your classes.
Hi,
I was thinking along the same lines with a part time job. I am taking online classes from Ashworth college; pretty good. I am also supplementing the classes with repair videos from ETCG and others. But ETCG is the best so far. That helps a lot. I do think hands on is the best way to go but I am 60 and just want to repair cars after I retire instead of sitting around and getting old. So Good luck in whatever you decide!!
One can’t learn how to turn a wrench while “online”, but I’m seeing that one sure can learn a lot about ODB diagnostics. Just be careful about choosing your sources.
I can imagine that a carefully designed online curriculum could be adequate for general automotive theory, but as others have stated, you really do need practical hands on experience.
I’m not an automotive technician, but I took a two year auto mechanics program in high school, and spent 2 years as a service tech at a Honda dealership while working my way through college.
After being armed with a degree in mechanical engineering, and a few years of amateur and professional experience under my belt, I foolishly thought I could tackle any problem. So when a friend approached me about upgrading his automatic transmission for dragstrip use… I confidently accepted (even though I’d never opened one up before). After all, my book learnin’ taught me precisely how an AT operates… TL;DR, that TurboHyrdomatic 200-4R kicked my a$$. Even to this day, I think twice about diving into an AT.
I’m an engineer, so you know I love book knowledge, yet there’s something about getting grease and grime up to your elbows that helps cement that knowledge. Please, do not discount it’s importance.
“Hi,
I am seriously thinking of taking an online automotive course from either Ashworth College or Penn Foster. I work full time so this would better fit my schedule. I realize hands-on schooling would be a stronger reinforcement tool, but I think I will go to a shop and see if they would allow me to work a few nights and get hands on experience like that. What do you guys think?”shadowzone with 12 posts
“Hi,
I haven’t been online in a while because of the online classes I am taking. The lasses are from Ashworth college and I am enjoying them. I try to supplement the classes with the videos from ETCG and that is helping. I filled out a job application online for pep boys for some part time job because hands on is the best way. In an hour I got a call. The service manager I talked to was very nice and he was going to try to talk me into full time. I am still looking for something part time and PEP Boys would be ideal since their service department closes at 8 pm. My point: if I get something part time then that would solve the hands on experience. Good luck with your classes.”
shadowzone still with 12 posts
“Hi,
I was thinking along the same lines with a part time job. I am taking online classes from Ashworth college; pretty good. I am also supplementing the classes with repair videos from ETCG and others. But ETCG is the best so far. That helps a lot. I do think hands on is the best way to go but I am 60 and just want to repair cars after I retire instead of sitting around and getting old. So Good luck in whatever you decide!!”
shadowzone still with 12 posts but now age 60
I’m confused.
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