Any Porsche Dealership Techs/Mechs out there?

[Porschephile]

Hey you guys... another potentially broad question here...

I'm curious if there are any Technicians or Mechanics currently working for a Porsche dealership who would willing to talk with me about how they got started doing what they're doing now.

I'm currently a Film Editor in Los Angeles with a lot of technical expertise (computer) and I'm interested in making a transition into the automotive field. I'm passionate about Porsches and if I had my dithers, I'd be working on them every day.

UTI (Universal Technical Institute) has what appears to be a good graduate program directed towards those with Porsche being a primary interest. Have any of you taken any courses through UTI? What was your experience like?

One other piece of information... I'm also considering moving my family out to Portland, Oregon... anyone out there need an apprentice?

Thanks!

-Matt Clarke

[john walker's workshop]

try the watercooled forums.

[Steve 82SC]

My buddy has been a Porsche dealer tech for 21 years. They recently hired two apprentices and I was curious about their qualifications. Both graduated from a technical school, one from UTI and the other from a Chicago area Lincoln Technical Institute. An apprentice , or "young pup" as my friend calls them, is assigned to a particular technician. They will be sent to various Porsche technical and factory sessions as they are scheduled.

As John Walker alluded to, much of the work that these apprentices will be doing will involve more modern, water-cooled cars. Certain dealers will rip into an air-cooled car only to a point. My friend has a steady clientele of on-the-side work, all of this being air-cooled only. He once told me that in a perfect world, he'd have an independent shop that worked only on air-cooled P-cars, driven by enthusiasts who care about their cars. He's told me horror stories about people who have an abundance of funds, buy a "Porsshh", proceed to run it down 9 quarts of oil, and then go off on a tirade to the service department about the lack of quality concerning the engine.

My buddy also told me that he stands alot. Good luck.
Steve