Author Topic: ASE Cert. (Read 374 times)

Dlord · « **on:** July 03, 2005, 10:52:23 PM »

I've been going to school for aviation. I've got all but a few classes completed for my certification(only thing remaining is a math class and an english class lol). After working in the industry for a bit I've found I don't really like it too much. I like what I do, I just don't like the airport enviroment at all. My question is, could I use my a/c school experience to allow me to transition into the automotive feild without a lot more schooling? I'm not a big fan of school and would like to avoid it if possible lol. Also, if it's possible to just take the certification test, what books would I need to study? I looked online and saw a few of them but wasn't sure if I should bother buying till I found out if it's possible at all. Any car mechanics or anyone out there with any experience of this? Thanks a lot guys.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2005, 02:35:36 AM »

Im old school Automotive . for many yrs i worked pritty much anywere i wanted, (from service stations to dealers to resto/race/welding/exhaust/machine shops)
Having an dd214 w/ aircraft mech on it dint hurt either i think ,later on i took adv welding,drafting,engineering,and worked under a cert chassis builder for 10yrs befor i got my chassis cert . during that i tested and rec my masters in auto. (I'm @ 25yrs in the mech fld now ) i still dont have a full blown engineering degree ... but i can out think/build/design most of those guys w/the paper deg

The papers never really did anything for me . ive never been asked to show them ever ... (seams like i always bring them out after working at a place for a while . Vet's day thing ussually so i can skip work ) but also ive built up a huge reputation over the yrs too .

Most of the small shops will take you if your good, as long as your under a good master tech theres really no problems w/ being a apprentice .

dealerships hire this way to and send ya to additional classes , but they perfer ase certs.

your gonna need extra schooling and experience though to get up to speed if your planning to work in a high output flat-rate shop though.

you'll most likely start out as an R n R mech with the lead guy doing the troubleshooting , a big plus is brakes and electrical, study those area's alot and you can go far these days .

Self motivated is a big plus too, if your lazy u'll never make it in the auto field .

as for studying, the Mitchell manuals have always been my best friend ... next to the factory service manuals.

the Ase cert in my opinion doesnt get you as far as experience does , but it will get you in the door easier these days

one thing you need to look at is the car enviroment can be just as harsh or easy as the aircraft enviroment .

finally can you wrench for 8-10 hours straight without blowing out all your knuckles , and can ya slither thru a car like elastic girl without hurting yourself ?

need more input just ask ive been involved in every aspect of the automotive fld .

Dlord · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2005, 11:42:45 AM »

Thx for the reply Roscoroo. So basically just apply at places I'd like to work for and hope for the best? I was hoping to work for one of the dealerships around here. If I wanted to get an ASE to help out, do you know if I can just test for it? I don't mind additional classes, I just really didn't want to go through a 2 year program again like I just did for aviation. Also, I'm use to the long hours. With an aircraft, you'd go out to fix a light bulb and then find a billion other things that need fixed lol. I guess my biggest question is if you were someone with no experience in the automotive wanting to get into it, how would you personally go about it these days? Thanks again and have a happy 4th:)

Maverick · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2005, 12:48:33 PM »

Dlord,

One of the things we were told in our A&P training was that frequently there was better money to be made in the automotive area. They were also looking for A&P's with work experiance to cross train. It should be possible to get started wiht a dealership for example and take classes as you are working. Example, you attend one class and start to work. They then send you to more advanced schools as your duties change in the dealership. It doesn't have to be done all at once.

If you really are looking to go to another area for work I'd start writing letters of introduction and resumes to some large dealers and see what happens. I certainly wouuldn't put down that you don't want to go to school however.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2005, 01:07:17 PM »

the anser is yes, you can just go a test for it (theres a small fee normally)., Check at a local community collage that offers automotive.

As for just jumping into a dealership , its ussually best to have at least some small shop exp 1st (but i have seen a few just outta school mechs hired befor)

I was working at a old full service station that when it finnally closed down , the owner of a local Dealership came and offered me a job ..

For the dealership route beshure they offer a min wage amount garrentee ,
its mostly "Flat-rate" but when its slow they send ya home and you end up starving if you dont have this .
I myself made alot of $$ working flat-rate when i was younger (45-58k avg)

if you lived in my area id take ya over to a few of the old shops and help ya in the door ... so its basically who you know that gets you the IN .

Another place to start is Tire store 's (like Les Schwaub,Sears.. ect) they have tons of perks and even pay for additional schooling .

Theres also the tune and lube places .
lets see how do i word this ... they are kinda looked at as the bottem feeders of the mechanic world . but it can help towards your journeyman level and the better jobs .

also remember theres alot of different area's of automotive ,I still do alot of exhaust (mostly because its good $ and i'm one of the best "Free style" benders around) along with the fact i own a bender ... this avenue leads to Roll bars , chassis mods , turbo work ,headers , ect .

This is what i do Today .(i turn piles of tubing into cars)

Dlord · « **Reply #5 on:** July 04, 2005, 02:33:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maverick
I certainly wouuldn't put down that you don't want to go to school however.

LOL, yeah I'll probably leave that part out. I kind of worded things wrong. I'm not against school, I just want to be able to get into automotive without having to go through school again. With aviation you basically have to have your A&P otherwise MOST places won't really let you touch the aircraft. Again, thanks a lot guys, you've really cleared up a lot of questions for me.

culero · « **Reply #6 on:** July 04, 2005, 06:11:40 PM »

Dlord, ASE certs are acquired by simply testing, no formal education credits are required. The test fees are moderate in price.

However, you must also have a minimum of two years of experience. So, if you're serious about this, find a job and start clocking your time. Most employers will subsidize the cost of your tests once you have enough experience.

all the info you want HERE Look at the training preparation links, they even have extensive test prep materials in *.pdf format available for download that will give you an excellent idea of what to expect from the tests.

culero (ASE Master Automotive Technician)

Dlord · « **Reply #7 on:** July 04, 2005, 08:56:59 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by culero
Dlord, ASE certs are acquired by simply testing, no formal education credits are required. The test fees are moderate in price.

However, you must also have a minimum of two years of experience. So, if you're serious about this, find a job and start clocking your time. Most employers will subsidize the cost of your tests once you have enough experience.

all the info you want HERE Look at the training preparation links, they even have extensive test prep materials in *.pdf format available for download that will give you an excellent idea of what to expect from the tests.

culero (ASE Master Automotive Technician)

Thx culero, that site is very helpful, I'll be sure to read it. As for the 2 years experience, is that only on cars/trucks or could I possible apply time I've spent on aircraft plus any schooling? I'm really releived that it's really kind of like an apprentiship. I actually know a few guys who are in the feild. Maybe they could help me get on somewhere. Thanks again.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 04, 2005, 09:52:01 PM »

your actual aircraft time will help get you in a job .. but it doesnt really apply towards ase .

yes, automotive has always been a apprenticeship . you dont need the ase cert to work in the fld , but its good to have .

culero · « **Reply #9 on:** July 04, 2005, 10:33:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dlord
snip
As for the 2 years experience, is that only on cars/trucks or could I possible apply time I've spent on aircraft plus any schooling?

Ummm....from the website:

"Twice a year, ASE offers certification tests for automotive professionals. You may sign up to take one or several exams. If you pass at least one test and have two-years of relevant hands-on work experience, you earn ASE certification. Test results are mailed directly to you. You will receive a detailed diagnostic score report."

From now on, RTFM

culero (has trained a buncha techs, doesn't believe in spoonfeeding)