UTI school

AFD660 · 05-01-2010, 09:00 PM

Does anybody here have an knowledge of Universal Technical Inst.?? Im thinking about entering the program and going automotive technology and hopefully get accecpted into the Porsche Apprentice Program or go Collision and Refinishing and apply to the Porsche side of that to. But I've heard of stories where they say its better to just take the classes at a college. If thats true is there a way I can apply for the Porsche side of things with the college classes? I miss the military but cant get back in because they are overmanned. I used to be a diesel mechanic in the military so hopefully that helps me out civilian side. And being a firefighter/emt just isnt intresting and fun anymore. So I'm looking for a good career change. If anybody has an opinion I would appreciate it. Thanks.

HunterVonWurst · 05-01-2010, 09:11 PM

Save your money. Take the classes at your local community college. Try to land an apprenticeship at a local dealer.

HHI944 · 05-01-2010, 09:34 PM

overmanned? WTF?!? You've obviously not talked to an Army recruiter.

AFD660 · 05-01-2010, 10:07 PM

yeah overmanned.. lol.. I'm a medic in the Army National Guard right now and they are accecpting people but promotion is next to none cuz they are overmanned. And i dont want to switch jobs because I like being a medic. Besides I've already done 2 tours, and what erks me is that I have never fired my weapon. Im no fobbit. I go outside the wire and do missions and all. 05-06 I was in Fallujah and Ramadi with the Marines when I was in the Navy. No action with 90 some missions. 09-10 Tallil with the Army and about 70 missions. No action. Some say its a blessing which I believe it is, but I'm freaking ready for some action.

Is there a way to get an apprenticeship by having the college courses? I live in a town of 12000 now and the closest Porsche dealership is about 3 hours away. Are the only 2 ways of get accecpted into the Porsche program is by becoming an apprentice at a dealer and by UTI??

HunterVonWurst · 05-01-2010, 10:15 PM

The UTI Porsche Apprenticeship program is in Atlanta GA. Either way, you'll have to re-locate.

BlueSkyJaunte · 05-01-2010, 10:25 PM

My one of my cats would get UTIs every once in a while. Had to keep him on a low-ash diet.

TGTIW · 05-02-2010, 06:17 AM

Yeah, I was going to suggest cranberry juice.

glewis80SC · glewis80SC's Garage

My son was looking into their BMW program it seemed like a good set up but was way overpriced and they were pressing how the students get "loans" from the government to off set cost. In the end they would always avoid final cost, we felt like it was a used car dealership. Talked with shop owners that have hired graduates and they said there skills are good after graduation, the BMW program will earn you more money in the end.
Where are you a firefighter? I've been doing it for 10 years and love every day I go into work maybe you need a change at work, new station assignment or promotion. What about working as a paramedic too? Good luck.

AFD660 · 05-02-2010, 08:35 AM

How overpriced were they?? I love firefighting... thats the part of the job I like. But since we are a town of 12000 we also do ems. Its the EMS calls at 2am because people are sick and dont feel good that i dont like, and they are rude about it. If we mess up a little bit it a lawsuit. One guy tried to sue because it took 2 iv sticks to get a line. Saying we caused him " unneeded pain and suffering". I'm taking my LT exam in a couple of weeks but I know thats not really going to help. I do need a new station and new city. I would like to go to Chicago or any other bigger city but I think being a Porsche tech would be easier to get in. Plus I loved being a mechanic. lol..

HunterVonWurst · 05-02-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFD660

How overpriced were they??

A Google search indicates $22k/yr. for a two year program ($44k total). You could (almost) go to Harvard for that kinda cash.

HHI944 · 05-02-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterVonWurst

A Google search indicates $22k/yr. for a two year program ($44k total). You could (almost) go to Harvard for that kinda cash.

Ehh, not quite. You could go to Harvard for a year for what the 2 year course would set you back and have a couple bucks left over to buy books.

HunterVonWurst · 05-02-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHI944

...not quite.

Well, I didn't go to Harvard, but isn't "not quite" synonymous with "almost"?

HHI944 · 05-02-2010, 10:58 AM

Nor did I, though I did stay in a Holiday Inn a few years ago.

I'm just questioning whether 10 grand difference in base tuition per year meets the criteria for almost.....

HunterVonWurst · 05-02-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HHI944

I'm just questioning whether 10 grand difference in base tuition per year meets the criteria for "almost".....

Nah...not quite.

glewis80SC · glewis80SC's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by AFD660

How overpriced were they?? I love firefighting... thats the part of the job I like. But since we are a town of 12000 we also do ems. Its the EMS calls at 2am because people are sick and dont feel good that i dont like, and they are rude about it. If we mess up a little bit it a lawsuit. One guy tried to sue because it took 2 iv sticks to get a line. Saying we caused him " unneeded pain and suffering". I'm taking my LT exam in a couple of weeks but I know thats not really going to help. I do need a new station and new city. I would like to go to Chicago or any other bigger city but I think being a Porsche tech would be easier to get in. Plus I loved being a mechanic. lol..

Hunter had it right, the core classes were about 22K then the specialized BMW school was another hit, I don't remember the total but out the door was going to be over 30k. Talking with Porsche and BMW techs the bimmer guys make more money, but the skills the graduates had didn't seem to justify the cost.
I work for the LA City and we do more ems than anyone so I know what you are talking about, but that is part of the fire service. There a a select few depts. that don't do EMS but even they are starting to see the need. i understand the funk you can get in when going on the "I'm sick help me right now" call at 2am. For me those are the calls where we earn our money, the ability to be professional at that moment is what sets us apart from others and it is TOUGH a lot of the time.... man do I know!!! The actual firefighting fun part of the job is the icing on the cake. A station change can do wonders too, sometimes the station has a negative vibe coming from a bad egg working there and that effects the whole station morale. What is the LT exam?
For me it is looking past and dealing with all the BS for those true calls, EMS or firefighting where we make a difference that is what make our job true and just. I don't do it ALL the time but I do make a honest effort each day, and I work in the worst first in, right in Skid Row overdose and bums galore!!!!

AFD660 · 05-02-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glewis80SC

Hunter had it right, the core classes were about 22K then the specialized BMW school was another hit, I don't remember the total but out the door was going to be over 30k. Talking with Porsche and BMW techs the bimmer guys make more money, but the skills the graduates had didn't seem to justify the cost.
I work for the LA City and we do more ems than anyone so I know what you are talking about, but that is part of the fire service. There a a select few depts. that don't do EMS but even they are starting to see the need. i understand the funk you can get in when going on the "I'm sick help me right now" call at 2am. For me those are the calls where we earn our money, the ability to be professional at that moment is what sets us apart from others and it is TOUGH a lot of the time.... man do I know!!! The actual firefighting fun part of the job is the icing on the cake. A station change can do wonders too, sometimes the station has a negative vibe coming from a bad egg working there and that effects the whole station morale. What is the LT exam?
For me it is looking past and dealing with all the BS for those true calls, EMS or firefighting where we make a difference that is what make our job true and just. I don't do it ALL the time but I do make a honest effort each day, and I work in the worst first in, right in Skid Row overdose and bums galore!!!!

LA city would be cool to work in. I mean I keep professionalism while on EMS calls but it does get redundtant when its all the time. Even my chief knows that I want to leave and he says he'll send me to all kinds of schools if it'll keep me here. My Capt. wants me to stay My shift does to. I gues its the small town getting to me. lol.. The LT exam is to make Lieutenant. The EMS side does suck unless its an actual call where its life and death decisions. I love firefighting. The ventilation, the K-12, dragging hose, SAR.. but with only 2 percent of the calls are fire its not enough. LOL. I guess I'll use my GI bill for the school I dont feel like going to college or anything.

vwbobd · vwbobd's Garage

UTI, Wyotech and the like are nothing but tuition factories that promise big dollars upon graduation. They lie to get you hooked. I worked in the auto dealer service enviroment as a service director for over a decade and I can tell you now, find a good community college to go to that offers automotive technology, dont take all of the non automotive classes, get on as an apprentice like mentioned before. Make sure that you get on at a dealer who stresses training and will send you for manufacturer training as part of your employment. I used to send all my techs to anything and everything and when I decided to change careers I had 26 techs, all were master certified with 5 different makes and ASE. I was paying some of the foremen 28 bucks a flat rate hour and my low guy on the pole was making 21 bones per. Dont waste your money on those fancy tech schools, all you will do is pay for thier commercials

I too was a master tech and I can tell you from experience that bloody knuckles can teach you things that books and 21 year old UTI, or Wyotech "instructors" cannot. Dealer sponsored manufacturer training is priceless and free if you get with the right dealer!

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

AFAIK the UTI programs are largely non-degree, certificate only. They're of marginal value. I'd probably do CC classes and get the certificate and some sort of degree (A.S., whatever) for less money. Just my $0.02.

asphaltgambler · 05-03-2010, 05:31 AM

Most of all above is true - I know I'm in the business. Really in the end it's more about the *****y business you're going into; not the *****y school to get you there. I wouldn't recommend a career in the car industry to my worst enemy

gtc · gtc's Garage

Are you sick of the diesel work?
I work for a Cat dealer, and we almost always have open diesel tech/mechanic positions. I think our only openings right now are in ND and AK, unfortunately.