Opportunities for self-employment are available. Many are offered in high schools, community colleges, and vocational and technical schools. Automotive mechanic training programs are offered in high schools, community colleges, and public and private vocational and technical schools. Because automotive technology is becoming more sophisticated, you will have an advantage if you complete a formal training program after graduating from high school. Courses in automotive repair, electronics, physics, chemistry, English, computers, and mathematics can provide a good basic educational background for a career as an automotive mechanic.
Beginners usually start as trainee mechanics performing routine tasks.
It takes about 1 or 2 years to get enough experience to quickly perform the more difficult types of service and repairs. Once you gain experience, you may be able to advance to shop supervisor or service manager. If you work well with customers, you may become repair service estimator. There are also opportunities to open your own repair shop.