Going to UTI.

mxrdriver · 03-30-2008, 06:50 PM

I have been thinking about to UTI so i can get out of redimix. Its been 10 years and I think I've had enough. is there anyone on the fourm thats going or has been to UTI? would you recomend it? Any insight is welcome thanks.

Derwud · 03-30-2008, 07:11 PM

Be prepared to pay through the nose for very little education, unless you can get in one of the manufactures based training, (also mean more money) only to get into a industry that doesn't really apperciate the techs that they hire...

BRACEYOSELF777 · 03-31-2008, 02:04 AM

Try looking u WyoTech.....they are a little better than UTI I heard but they don't advertise as much. I was planning to go to UTI until my local community college opened an auto program and still i spending NATF certification. Do your research first.

mxrdriver · 03-31-2008, 08:13 AM

The community college here has a auto program, do you think that would be a better (and cheaper) place to start. what is NATF stand for?

Derwud · 03-31-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mxrdriver

The community college here has a auto program, do you think that would be a better (and cheaper) place to start. what is NATF stand for?

Go the Community College route.. Diag of CAN systems are the most important thing to learn...

**loufish** · 03-31-2008, 09:33 AM

Automotive Repair(including heavy truck) can be a tough gig...But one good thing is those types of tech jobs can't be outsourced overseas...
I've been repairing cars & trucks since they had points type of ignitions, and generators...A lot has changed since...
You'll need very strong electrical skills, that will help you go from zero to hero...

Derwud · 03-31-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

Automotive Repair(including heavy truck) can be a tough gig...But one good thing is those types of tech jobs can't be outsourced overseas...
I've been repairing cars & trucks since they had points type of ignitions, and generators...A lot has changed since...
You'll need very strong electrical skills, that will help you go from zero to hero...

X2 what Lou said.. City/County Jobs are great for the long haul. High Line imports are the best keeping it interesting...

AZTITAN78 · 03-31-2008, 10:13 AM

I go to Arizona Western Community College down here in Yuma and my instructor taught at UTI for many years. He was actually the founder of the BMW program out there. If you don't have any experience he recommends going to a community college first and doing your general automotive classes then enter UTI for the manufacturer specific programs. It's cheaper and the same just ensure your college has NATEF certs. Like others have said pay close attention to the electrical and computer diag classes every thing is based of it. If you like troubleshooting you will luv it.

CHUD · 03-31-2008, 10:31 AM

Whichever school you choose, I'd make sure the courses are accredited and that they will transfer to a state school should you decide to complete a Bachelors degree. That being said, I'd stay away from the private trade schools if you are able to take comparable courses at a Junior College. Those private schools (DeVry, ITT Tech, et cetera) usually cost three times what is costs to attend a JC (at least here in CA).

all torque · 03-31-2008, 11:46 AM

I have a buddy who went to UTI in Houston and said it sucked. He spent more time arguing with the intructors than anything else. Most of those guys didn't have the experience and they just read straight out of the book. Plus, they promise all this help to get you a great paying job, which never really happens because most places won't pay you much until you build some real world experience. He now works in the oil rigging industry.

mxrdriver · 03-31-2008, 12:31 PM

Thanks for all the input, I'll do some more research at different colleges. Has anyone taken the auto classes at GCC in AZ?

**DeadRiver** · 03-31-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

Automotive Repair(including heavy truck) can be a tough gig...But one good thing is those types of tech jobs can't be outsourced overseas...
I've been repairing cars & trucks since they had points type of ignitions, and generators...A lot has changed since...
You'll need very strong electrical skills, that will help you go from zero to hero...

Loufish is right. One thing I'll warn about heavy equipment is that everything is huge and heavy duty. I beat the **** out of myself growing up and working on my old man's equipment and still go help him turn wrenches. While I like that work more then my desk job, I can't say I'd want to be on a cold, damp, floor most mornings... (which is why he wanted me to go to college in the first place, I can always go back!) Heavy equipment was a lot simpler before the started adding electronic controls to everything, so I'm sure there is a whole bunch of new stuff to learn as well.

A guy that worked in the shop for probably 15 years finally left one day and went to work for caterpillar rebuilding engines.. that seemed like a pretty good gig, steady work, not having to pull motors and trannys or deal with rear ends any longer...

good luck and really do your research. before investing in yourself make sure that is what'll keep you happy and pay your bills. that's all we have to really do, the lucky few really love their jobs!

**loufish** · 04-01-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

I can't say I'd want to be on a cold, damp, floor most mornings... (which is why he wanted me to go to college in the first place, I can always go back!) Heavy equipment was a lot simpler before the started adding electronic controls to everything, so I'm sure there is a whole bunch of new stuff to learn as well.

You're giving me flash-backs...I used to maintain a small fleet of cement -mixers and all of the work was done on the ground, pulling transmissions on a creeper that won't roll because of all the kitty-litter on the ground, using a pry bar to move the trans jack because it won't roll either...

That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger...

Before you start any formal school training, you should have some general mechanical knowledge, and have turned some wrenches even if just on your own toys...You need an aptitude for mechanical work

**DeadRiver** · 04-01-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

You're giving me flash-backs...I used to maintain a small fleet of cement -mixers and all of the work was done on the ground, pulling transmissions on a creeper that won't roll because of all the kitty-litter on the ground, using a pry bar to move the trans jack because it won't roll either...

That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger...

Before you start any formal school training, you should have some general mechanical knowledge, and have turned some wrenches even if just on your own toys...You need an aptitude for mechanical work

haha... The worst part about our bay was the expansion joint in the concrete was right in the center... talk about minor speed bumps on a creeper.....

My dad's trucks haul the raw aggregate used to manufacture concrete block... so needless to say the trucks were always dirty and had plenty of rocks to roll around on. to be perfectly honest, they still are "the good old days" to me....