Porsche School

[Blondie]

Been toying with the idea of UTI's Porsche program...apprently the chances of getting in are minimal. 4.0 GPA's and 98% attendance rates are a MUST to even be considered.

I heard good and bad things abt UTI's auto programs lol Mostly it seems to culminate at
'its stupid easy to get a degree at UTI, but what you learn there is up to you.'

and

'99% of the people going to UTI are trying to get into their Porsche program. Get some dealership experience beforehand to give you an edge above the competition.'

I was just curious as to whether anyone on PP has gone through UTI or, better yet, made it into the PTAP program??

Thanks for any info,

- Matt

[AFJuvat]

I was a P-car only mechanic

Never went to UTI

Knew a few instructors there - What you have heard is true - everybody wants to get into Porsche or the Nascar program.

Very few are selected.

The "degree" is about useless - the school knows that people are paying for the training, so slackers are tolerated.

Get some experience, then take the ASE tests - you have a much better chance.

[the]

That's interesting, why does everyone want to get into the Porsche program?

I assume they teach you how to work on the relatively new cars only (like 996 and up?).

[Racerbvd]

My ex-fiancee son got in, he was a C student, nothing special, but I pointed him to wards the path, I guess it helped the requiter who showed up was an old customer & friend of mine

He is doing very well now, was with the local BMW dealership, now at one of the top independent shops in the area, just just happens to belong to another friend Johnathan is holding his own though, doors may have been opened, but he earned the right to stay

[David]

I looked into being a Porsche mechanic many years ago before going back to school for an engineering degree. I talked to some mechanics at the dealership who suggested I try getting on at a VW or Audi dealership first. They said the training classes I'd get there would count toward Porsche training hours or something like that.

[Blondie]

So I guess the general consensus is to go for work experience huh?

[porsche930dude]

Working is obviously the best way to get experience and move up to a better shop. In my opinion schooling is the bottom level of education. Your not going to be working with experienced people besides maby the teacher and you know theres a reason hes a teacher and not a real mechanic. Not saying you wont learn anything it just wont be real world experience. Plus you have to pay instead of getting paid

[Blondie]

So I guess I should try and nab that car-washing job at the Porsche Dealer eh

How does that go? A thousand mile journey begins with a single step?

...or in this case, a single wipe.

[porsche930dude]

definatly. Getting your foot in the door is the first and biggest step

[Blondie]

The closest dealership is an hours drive. But my lack of common sense and my passion for Porsches tells me otherwise

[porsche930dude]

its an hour away. Ill be there in 20 minutes

[cardsrule]

I just started UTI this week with hopes of getting in the Porsche program. I have found out a lot of info on what it takes to get in one of the 42 seats that are offered a year. Most of everyone I have talked to is trying to get into the BWM program, I guess it pays more when you get out. I am sure there are some die-hard Porsche guys like me that are gunning for a seat. It get an interview you have to have 98% attendance (really you need 100%) 3.8 gpa, 6 months work experience (which I don't have) and basic engine ASE.

For me the school has been very good (so far). I am learning all the basic stuff that I didn't know. It is expensive and there are lot of F$#@ ups in my class and in the school. The best way I can explain it is the school is like one huge high school auto shop.

Having left a very good marketing job and having a Bachelor degree it is a big change. If it doesn’t work out I will try to get a job at an independent shop somewhere, I don’t mind relocating.

Let me know if you have any questions and i will try to help

[Blondie]

Awesome Cardsrule...I was hoping for someone with UTI experience.

Tell me a little more abt what you know on getting into the PTAP program, if u can ('6 months experience'...again, note taken!)

[cardsrule]

Well the way it breaks down is there are 1,400 manufacturer seats a year (these include Porsche-42, Mecadies-430 (!!!), BMW-250, VW-200 ect) most pay the same coming out of the program. Some are harder to get into than others. Everyone I have talked to are all about who pays the most, Porsche is in the middle.

Pretty much if you have 100% attendance (that is not missing one minute of class), a 3.8 GPA, 6 months of work experience (prefer while you are in school), ASE test passed. You have to sign a contract for 2-5 years saying that you will relocate and work at the same dealer.

So I am going to work my ass off for the next year and see what happens.

I could have tried to go to a dealer or an independent shop and started out at the bottom but I don't know much about working on cars (marketing background) so I am not sure of what I could of offered. So I am sure someone with a more extensive car back ground (even though my family has been in the car business since 1919) could of started off at a shop, school is great at giving you the basics.

Like I said I am on day 4 so I don't know everything... but so far its good. (getting up at 5am is not )

Scott

[Blondie]

Hmmm

Work experience is looking more and more like I path I'm gonna take. Thanks again for the info, everyone. You've had a hand in shaping my future!! *Gulp!!*

[speedracer]

Blondie,

Not sure how old you are but what about sending off a resume to the local dealer asking to be considered the next time they are hiring apprentices, then start your hours there and apply to your local tech school to get your journeymans.