How do I become a certified Porsche mechanic or land a related job?

[Canyonland]

I've had it with current career and lucky for me I’ll retire in a couple of years at age 40. I want to break into a job that deals with European sports cars as I've always wished to do. I used to wrench on F-16 fighter jets before I got a real job with the government but don’t have much auto experience aside from replacing a few tie-rods, alternators and such.

I'm thinking a job as a mechanic would be OK but I could only tolerate working on sports cars. Back in high school I knew a guy that was sent out of state to become a certified Porsche wrench turner and I was wondering if such schools still existed.
I could also do sales but I hate to lie to people and a$$ isn't in my routine. Bottom line is that I want to make a meager living (around 25k per year at least) in a job closely tied to euro performance cars or racing.
Are there schools that teach Porsche, BMW and Mercedes mechanics only? If so where in the US? I'm also up for other job suggestions that would fit the requirements listed above.

Thanks

[Rollins]

You might think about going to a community college, most off classes, which teache the basics of cars in general. Then you can get more specific and look into Porsches and the likeness.

[Bill Douglas]

Check out this thread.

Thinking about changing occupations

Bill '79SC

[Eric Coffey]

There is a tech school in Wyoming ("Wyotech") that used to have some form of a Porsche factory/dealer apprentice-ship program. You may want to check it out and give them a call.

www.wyomingtech.com

-Eric

[Greg-slant/cab]

I remember reading in Excellence a few months back (I dont remember the month), someone wrote in asking about the same thing. I was surprised that there are Porsche tech schools that you can have all of your training paid for. If I recall correctly you have to be sponsored by a Porsche dealer and then work for them for a specified period of time. Someone else will probably chime in with better details. But look around and I am sure you will find more info on it. ....I just found the link I was thinking of
http://www.uticorp.com/utiedu/porsche.html

Good luck.

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Greg-slant/cab
http://www.geocities.com/gregslantcab/

[This message has been edited by Greg-slant/cab (edited 09-29-2001).]

[falcon]

You may want to start by interviewing true porsche and BMW mechanics and hear how they got their education and lined up their careers. With every position there is the good with the not-so-good experiences. After hearing their inputs, ask yourself again if you want to continue in that field.



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'88 911 Cab

[john walker's workshop]

sad truth of the matter is if you start learning how to wrench at 15 years old you get pretty good 20 years down the road. lots of dues to pay. you're 40?

[911pcars]

ASE certification tests are a good benchmark for potential employers to see; better still if you have product-specific skills/experience. To get to this level requires some training, education and experience. Unfortunately, this profile isn't as common as the industry would like.

If you don't mind starting at/around the bottom, I'd suggest hooking up with a local, private repair shop and augment the on-the-job experience you gain with some community college courses.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars