im a tech fora rather large Toyota dealership and i'm taking the T-TEN co-op program. its a Toyota Technician training program at a local community college in which i also get my associates degree(taking all the reg classes like math, science, etc). we do 2 trimester, class full time for about 2 months and then work full time, then class, etc for 2 years.when finished ill have the degree, also be Toyota certified and ill have a few ASE tests done since its a requirement. its a sh*t ton better than any trade school like Lincoln Tech. i've talked to many techs that has done schools like that and say its a huge waste of money. so far myself and my class mates are enjoying the program and think its well worth it.

if you can, find a specific program like Toyota, Honda, Ford, etc...it'll pretty much guarantee u a stable, well paying job if ur good and happy with what u do.

which is another thing. this kinda job you HAVE to enjoy doing. u wont make it at all if u cant deal with the pressure and aches. when i first started the Toyota program, we had about 30 students in the class. after the first semester was over and the second semester started, only about 15 came back to class, rest dropped out. its truely a love it or hate it career.

some places do treat techs like crap, others really do watch out for each other. luckily the 2 dealership i've worked for have been great to me. never give me any hassel. as for money, most techs get paid flat rate. that can be a good thing or a bad thing. if u get ur work done fast and u work in a busy place, u can make a sh*t ton of money fast. if ur slow, mess up or dont get much work coming thru ur shop, u'll struggle. as for finding a job, its pretty easy. tons of dealerships and shops around, always gena be cars on the road so u'll have a job.

right now, im happy with what im doing but this is only temporary. i don't want to be a tech at some dealership or other shop for my career. its ok but not really what i want to do. once im finished the program, ill be going to another school in cali that trains professional race car drivers and race car mechanics. thats really what i want to do, some suspension R&D and/or testing for F1 or GT cars.