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Where to start depends on your age. I started by going to a vocational highschool and enrolling in the automotive course. After graduation I was able to get a job working for a SAAB dealer through school. From there I learned "the ropes" from the other techs who were working there. Prior to going to highschool I gained experience working on mini bikes, lawnmowers, and motorcycles. I started out with a mish mash of old rusty tools and a service manual. During highschool I had a summer job working on a farm and doing some maintenance work on the various equipment.
If you are presently in highschool and donot have an automotive shop or have graduated then you still have options. One would be to start out as an "apprentice" mechanic at a local shop after school and summers. You will start out sweeping the floor and cleaning parts and doing other minor projects. This will give you a basic knowledge. If you are able to find a local dealer who is willing to train a "green kid" then that is a better place to start. They will send you to the manufacturers school for basic courses. This is the slow way of going about it.
If you are already out of school then it is best to enroll in a career training school like the one you have mentioned. It is going to cost you some money but you will get off to a good start and will have some knowledge under your belt. This will be good in the long run when you are looking for a job in the future. If money is really a problem then you may consider the Armed Services. By joining the Army you can get training and work in the Motor Pool.
There are a few things to take into consideration when working in the automotive field as a technician. Besides the cost of schooling there is the cost of tools. As a technician you are expected to provide your own tools. I have well over $17,000 invested in tools. In most cases the career schools like the one you have mentioned have programs where you can buy tools at a discount or are included as part of the tuition. There is good money to be made working as a tech however it takes a lot of effort on your part. The majority of new car dealers pay flat rate. You will be expected to hustle and turn out work. If you perform a bad repair and the result is a "comeback" you will do the repair over again without getting paid. Working on cars can be a dirty job and there is a lot of bending over. Over time it wears on the back. You will have your fair share of cuts, bruises, burns, and skinned knuckles.
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