wyotech the good the bad the ugly?

[tcb42]

Thanks for all the replies. Most of you have just verified how I felt when I started this thread. I even talked to Jessi from xtreme to see how she felt about the school. I will definitely check out the Ford asset program.

I actually wanted to be a mechanic and took the vocational auto class in High school. I also enrolled in the auto program at a local community college right out of high school. I was young and too easily pursued to not go down that road and ultimately gave it up.

I sorted fell into the operators union. Since my current job at that time was driving semi's and not going any where I called a family friend who owns a construction company to drive for him. He thought I would be a good operator for him. Most of the time it was a good gig and paid fairly well. But its not been what I would call my dream job and can't see myself doing this anymore. Life is too short to be stuck at something you don't love to do. For sure I'm going to be taking a pretty decent pay cut going the mechanic route but I would rather do something that I like. Thanks guys.

Tim

 

[tcb42]

I agree....why not just learn as you go. Im not a fan of spending money to learn something. I have always learned for free, and learn more for free than anybody i know that went to school. And who says that painting is gona be your bread winner. Body shops around here are only busy in the winter months. They beg for work in the summer.

Hate sanding!!! No body man here!

 

[Dark Knight]

I am a graduate of Wyotech Blairsville P.A. campus i took collision and refinishing and i have to tell you that it is not worth the money, the classes are to big so it is hard to get a one on one with an instructor. Also you spend 90% of your time in the classroom. It has been a few years since i graduated in 2005 so things may have changed, but it is not a cheap school for the amount of hands on work that you get to do.

 

[allenfahey]

You could walk into a busy body shop and get hired to be a 'helper' for $11 an hour! Why go to school to make that?

I agree. As a painter I started out 20 years ago as a helper hourly at $12 and on flat rate. I had a base salary and if the paint shop did good I would get a bonus. I'm still on flat rate and by myself with no helpers and usually turn at least 130 hours a week easy and have turned 230 hours. You can make very good money in a short amount of time if you have a good teacher. I had a helper that after 3 years as an apprentice went out on his own and is a painter now. It never made sence to me to pay someone to learn a trade. 30K! Earn as you learn!

A few years ago I made the mistake of hiring a helper that graduated from Wyotech. He was fresh out of school and I had to school him some more after he said to me "that's not the right way to prep a car"%). I told him there were 100's of different ways to prep a car and this is how you prep a car to make money. He didn't last very long, I don't even remember his name.

You will probably have to take a pay cut to be an apprentice but it is very possible to make 100K in the right shop with the right manager. I'd stay away from dealerships. I worked in the same one for 13 years off and on and they left our payscale alone but I've heard of nightmares from other dealerships.

I've learned quite a bit in my trade from painter certification, tint class, and other classes the paint manufacurers have. I've also been to all the ICAR classes for refinishing and have almost fallen asleep for those. The best way to learn is hands on.

Good luck to you!

 

[1sicbronconut]

The Ford dealership I work for tries to send a couple of new guys to the ford training program, look up Ford ASSET program. I'd talk to some local Ford dealerships and see if any support this program. You go to school for about 4 months then go abck to the dealership for 4 months it's a two year program and at least the one here in New Mexico seems to turn out some decent techs.

 

[Tom Dummer]

Jeez. I just hired a kid with so little mechanical experience that I had to show him how to safely hold a 9" grinder. At $13 an hr.

 

[Dano 407]

Jeez. I just hired a kid with so little mechanical experience that I had to show him how to safely hold a 9" grinder. At $13 an hr.

I teach the sophomores how to do that!

Will you please reply here that being able to tie your shoes is essential to keeping a job? My students do not believe this.

 

[tcb42]

The Ford dealership I work for tries to send a couple of new guys to the ford training program, look up Ford ASSET program. I'd talk to some local Ford dealerships and see if any support this program. You go to school for about 4 months then go abck to the dealership for 4 months it's a two year program and at least the one here in New Mexico seems to turn out some decent techs.

Yes I have looked into that. It was also suggested earlier and I found it near my house. Doesn't start till 2012 though.

 

[tcb42]

Jeez. I just hired a kid with so little mechanical experience that I had to show him how to safely hold a 9" grinder. At $13 an hr.

That's pathetic!!!

 

[Amac70]

Jeez. I just hired a kid with so little mechanical experience that I had to show him how to safely hold a 9" grinder. At $13 an hr.

dam tom i can hold a grinder could i possibly start out at 14hr.

 

[HGM]

Yes I have looked into that. It was also suggested earlier and I found it near my house. Doesn't start till 2012 though.

Must be a smaller program. Most have two instructors that rotate two classes, one starting every summer.. If you can tie your shoes(love that) and have some general knowledge now, you have another option. I'm not sure how important the money is right nowBut, you could ask the instructors if they recomend any dealers.. Technically, they shouldnt do it, but they can tell you who might be looking for someone and who has a good reputation for treating the techs properly.. This would give you a foot in the door and some experience before starting the program. Besides, hate to say it, the lesser experienced, quick service guy that does the oil changes, tire rotations, brakes, etc... Makes the most money with the least headaches in alot of places.. Dont be scarred of $10-12hr, ask them about how many hrs you'll be making and if they can supply a guarantee while you get used to the system.. Its your deal, negotiate it to your advantage.. Unless of course, they have the union BS there... Then your stuck with whatever those a-holes want... The instructors might even let you hang out there for a few hours to see whats going on.. I'd start there..

If the shop isnt an option, maybe parts or svc lane.. One of the biggest hurdles many folks have is getting used to the system and understanding all areas of the shop. Tech's complain about the writers and parts guys, the parts guys complain about the techs and writers, the writers............. You get the idea... My main ploint is, this program is by far the best bang for the buck.. You'll have some shit heads in class and be surrounded by some childish stuff, but if you want to, you'll learn more than you could immagine..

 

[tcb42]

Thanks for your input. Its very much appreciated.

 

[70 sport WA]

I agree, a good community college program will do the same thing and at a fraction of the price. One of my favorites is associated with a university, though, and up in Montana.

It's a two-year program and although you may not be going up there, the website is a good example of info you really need to find out up front: what are job placement rates of graduates, curriculum, etc. Montana State U in Billings does a great job of this in their College of Technology:

 

[Pflyboy]

I know several people who went to Wyotech. One left there to finish his education at a regular community college. He's a good mechanic. One finished up at Wyotech, couldn't get a job and joined the military. The third joined Wyotech as a hack and graduated as a hack. Misc. other people I know of joined a large rod shop here in the area. They don't make good pay and are worked like crazy.

Bottom line: if you are mechanically inclined, either choice will work, so go for the less expensive option.

I saw a post on the first page about getting an FAA certification (A&P). Not a good idea, at least in general aviation. People tell you how great aviation is, how in-demand new people are, how much money you make...nonsense.

Aviation is a terrible place to be right now. I worked at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (I still call it Jeffco) for 5 years. Everybody there complained about bad pay (the verteran mechanics were making $20 an hour-no doubt good pay, but not for the years gone by, effort, and attention to detail) and the industry was a rollercoaster at the time. Kids from Aerotech (became Westwood, the Redstone) would come visit. The advice from the A&P mechanics: go to truck school. I'd agree from what I've seen.

 

[nosaj2k]

I think the Laramie campus is nice. They have invested a lot into expanding and better buildings. By the way, there is not 50k students at University of Wyoming, maybe 15k at best. Although it is a HUGE party place with 30 bars, so you need discipline. I graduated from UW but had several freinds at WyoTech, mostly because of my Bronco. Good Luck.

Fellow UW Alumn! Laramie's population is about 27,000 +-, University students account for approximately 15,000. Laramie does have a pretty neat downtown with bars/grills. I say if your interested in pursuing an education at Wyotech, definetely look into it. No doubt you'll get exactly what you put into it. One thing I might caution you on based on the experience of others: Make certain they have a good job placement program. Don't let those goofy "recruiters" tell you about there 90% job placement rate - they are not telling the whole story. And 35k does sound a bit steep. I suspect many of the other schools are similarly priced.

Good luck