6 Steps to Prepare for Automotive Technical School

If you enjoy cars and hands-on work, automotive technical school can help you turn your interests into a rewarding career. Preparation is the key to success: technical school may be a more affordable and accessible alternative to college, but it can be every bit as challenging.

In this automotive technical school prep guide, we'll look at six ways to get ready for program entry. Steps are presented in chronological order, creating a roadmap you can follow no matter where you currently are in your journey.

Step 1: Lay the right foundations

You can start preparing for technical school while you're still in high school by building a solid background in relevant subject areas. Today's vehicles use a lot of advanced technology—and so do the technicians who service them. Develop your computer skills: they'll help you get a handle on the modern diagnostics tools you'll use in your automotive tech program.

It's also a good idea to learn about electricity and electronics, along with applied math and basic physics. Some high schools have training pathways for students bound for technical college. These include hands-on, career-focused courses—some of which lead to credentials like Entry-Level Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE).

Automotive technical schools won't usually require you to hold these types of credentials when you apply. However, they might help you gain advanced standing in your program—and that can reduce your costs and help you graduate faster.

Step 2: Meet admissions standards

Admissions requirements vary, but they're usually designed to make programs as accessible as possible. At minimum, you'll likely need a high school diploma or GED. However, some automotive technical schools offer alternative Ability to Benefit (ATB) entry pathways.

ATB is a federal government standard that opens postsecondary funding and training options to learners without a high school diploma or the equivalent. To qualify, you'll need to enroll in what the government calls a "career pathway program." Most automotive technology programs meet this definition.

You might also need specific high school coursework in areas like computer science, math, physics, and/or electronics—especially if you're applying to an associate degree program.

Step 3: Identify a career path

You may or may not have a specific professional goal in mind at this stage. Either way, it's wise to research career paths before committing to a program. You might find one (or more) that you really like, and you can then seek out a program that trains you for it.

We've built several resources that can help. First, consider this deep dive into the job outlook for automotive technical school graduates: it features data, analysis, and projections through 2032. Then, check out these emerging jobs for automotive vocational school graduates featuring exciting career paths that are well-positioned for strong growth.

You can also train as a generalist, which is fine—you'll have lots of opportunities to build specializations over the course of your career.

Step 4: Research programs

With these foundations in place, it's time to start looking at specific schools and programs. Focus on these areas as you dig in:

Academic credentials

Automotive technology programs can lead to technical diplomas, certificates, or an associate degree. Diploma and certificate programs are typically shorter, leading to graduation in about one academic year. Associate degree programs take longer—about two academic years—but they also go into greater depth while offering more ways to personalize your learning.

Some schools also build certification training into their programs, making it easier for you to qualify for credentials like NIASE's eight Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) areas. These industry-standard credentials can boost your job prospects, making them well worth pursuing.

Curriculum, course content, and concentrations

Most technical schools publish detailed breakdowns of the classes you'll take and what you'll learn. Make sure those details align with your skills, interests, and career plans.

Also, know that some vocational schools offer concentrated automotive technology programs focused on specialized subjects. A few examples include:

• Collision repair
• Diesel and powertrain service
• Electric vehicle (EV) repair
• High-performance racing technology

Generalist programs build versatile foundations that also lead to careers in these and other areas, but you can pursue a concentrated program if you've already decided on a particular career path.

Accreditation

As an initial step, make sure any school you're considering is accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education.

Next, note that some automotive technology programs hold optional accreditations from organizations like the NIASE or the ASE Education Foundation. These useful credentials signal higher levels of academic quality and ensure your education meets specific technical standards.

Costs and financial aid

Research and compare each program's tuition fees, remembering that associate degree programs usually cost more because they're longer. Also, look beyond the so-called "sticker price" to consider how each program will affect your earning potential and debt load.

Many technical schools offer in-house financial aid programs, which can include:

• Scholarships
• Work-study opportunities
• Tuition waivers or deferrals
• Payment plans

Consider how each school will impact your budgeting, and try to strike the right balance between future opportunity and practical present-day financial considerations.

Career services and student outcomes

Finally, examine how each school supports student transitions to the workforce. Are there partnerships in place with local employers? Does the school's career center offer help building resumes and developing job interview skills? Are career services limited to actively enrolled students, or can you continue to use them after you graduate?

It's also wise to analyze student outcome data. Find out how many program graduates go on to land an in-field job: schools with higher placement rates generally do better at developing the skills employers need.

Step 5: Build a financial plan

A sound financial plan will help you hit the ground running while minimizing future debt. Learn everything you need to know about financial aid for technical schools, then start looking into scholarships: search portals like Scholarships.com, Scholarships360,  Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships Central, and CollegeScholarships.com offer plenty of resources.

From there, you can deploy your personal savings and get loans or gifts from family members. Working part time while you study can also ease your financial burden.

Automotive technology programs at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and private loans are also available in a pinch. However, it's best to use loans as a last resort since they lead to long-term debt.

Step 6: Select programs and apply

By this point, you'll have narrowed your program options down to a shortlist of leading candidates. It's always a good idea to apply to multiple programs, even if you have your heart set on a particular school. That way, you'll have fallback options in case your first choice doesn't work out.

PEAK Auto proudly supports the emerging generation of automotive technicians

Automotive technical training offers a long list of practical benefits, and it's ideal for hands-on learners who love cars. Old World Industries proudly supports talented vocational and technical school students training for automotive careers through our PEAK Performance Scholarships program and strategic partnerships with schools like Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC).

Labor market conditions are highly favorable for automotive technology specialists, and they appear poised to stay that way for the long term.