got laid off....wondering about porsche certified tech. HELP

[Kmatts]

wow, i hate to even say this....but the firm i worked for just laid nearly everyone off. now i'm wondering if its time to consider doing something different. having always loved cars, I'm curious about becoming a porsche certified tech.
I know it has been discussed here on pelican before, but i could not find it using search.
any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
especially from the Pelican pro wrenches....Walker...Tyson...?

its gotta be a blessing in disguise
Cheers,
Kyle.

[GettinHeadStuds]

Originally posted by Kmatts
its gotta be a blessing in disguise

That's the right attitude!

Good luck.

[DeutschMark]

The members of this board, especially the independent repair guys listed above may have the opinion that a certified tech that works at a dealer is an overpaid parts exchanger. It is more profitable for the dealer to sell new parts with labor to customers. I'm sure it is a decent job, but most of us can't afford to spend $90-$100/hr or more to have our beloved cars serviced at a dealer.

Do you have any experience as a tech? I'm sure they won't just hire a casual shadetree mechanic.

[AFJuvat]

As far as I know, to be a dealer porsche tech, you need to at least have your ASE certification (this may have changed). You will be expected to have all of the basic tools before you start.

If you get in with the right dealer, they may send you to the school in Reno, NV.

The newer cars are actually easier to work with than the older cars are. If you can handle working on a 911 motor, you can deal with boxster\997\cayenne.

If and when you leave the dealership, you loose your Porsche certification.

That said, you are indeed, a parts swapper. In all fairness, that is how the new cars are set up; but if you enjoy figuring out "why" things work, you may be disappointed.

Independant shops are more geared to the "mechanic" vice the "technician." Independants are harder to get into, but you learn a lot more.

If this is something you are seriously looking at, and assuming you have unemployment and\or a severance package, I strongly suggest you talk to a independant P-car shop in your area. Ask if you can hang out and learn a few things. Many shops do have sort of an "apprenticeship" program.

If you have detailed questions, PM me. I did jump like you are thinking about. It is do-able, but you have to have all of your ducks in a row.

AFJ
"network engineer turned P-car wrench"

[Kmatts]

great info, thanks very much everyone.
K.

[Britwrench]

To add with AFJ's post.
In the auto industry there is a shortage of skilled (or able to be skilled) technicians. As with a lot of "craftsman" type of industries, the average age is increasing with not enough people coming in.
Most of the independant shop Porsche guys did work in the dealer network but felt that it didn't suit them. The dealer network is an entirely different situation to independant. Talk to some shops and see how you feel about a career change. Don't forget, they are businesses and you are there to make money.

[Rick V]

As a wrench I can tell you you don't want to do this for a living. I used to live to work on cars and it didn't matter what I was doing I just had to be working on a car!. 20years later I hate to think about monday. I have had almost all of my fingers broken, My knees are shot (some pre-wrench damage) and the hands are always cut up. I don't do much heavy work i.e. engines and trans. stuff I do mostly diagnostics. I have another 9years to go and I get to retire I can't wait. I make a very good living and at the age of 41 I can't change professions and make the same money so I'm stuck. If I had it to do over again I wouldn't be a wrench. Don't get me wrong I still love cars and I love to work on good cars at my pace but as for the job I'm burnt out. Find some other profession to chase. The dealership is where you go to get the factory training then you move to a good independant shop and make the money! thats how to do it. Good luck