Off topic, but do firefighters service fire trucks?

^ Good question. No they don't, and it might be a good idea to talk to the people who service your trucks and see how they like their job.


I wouldn't go for the diesel unless the only thing you're interested in is the money (and honestly, I know several HD mechanics and they make the same I do). It really is kinda crappy work, and hard on the body.

I also wouldn't do the Toyota course. Why limit yourself to a specific brand, and thereby limit your job opportunities? In general, I find that mechanics who work at independent shops are "more well rounded" when it comes to diagnosing and repairing vehicles simply because of the wide variety of work they see.

I don't know what current programs are at BCIT, but I'd invest in learning about the electrical side of things and diagnosing problems with electronic/computerized systems in new cars. There are a million techs out there who can do brakes and change parts. There aren't nearly as many who can diagnose the difficult problems related to the electronic systems in your car.

Amen to that. While it's sometimes nice to switch your brain off and bang out the brake jobs, it also helps to be able to diagnose different issues with cars.

The way things are going, there are an incredible amount of computer-controlled systems on most cars 2000 and up. It's not as simple as it used to be. Being able to tackle the challenges that other techs can't will be what gets you forward, and jobs over the other guys.

I'm more broadly interested in parts and doing electrical/electronic work, actually. I can do the dirty work, but possibly having to do it day in and day out might be a bit of a stretch, even if most of that work is the big money. I applied for the Toyota course as my grades aren't QUITE good enough to enter the general program.

On a serious note, if I could, I would want to take up a learning position at one of the sponsor shops. I'm more interested in that side of the trade than both tech, parts, and electronics altogether.

anyone know how long it takes to get accepted into the Auto Service Tech program at BCIT? i applied for the winter term which is too late now and had faxed my supporting documents but they still haven't reviewed my application

I don't know what it's like now, but the waiting list used to be anywhere from 6 months to a year.

these are great discussions guys, keep it coming.

UPDATE:

I got a quality shop to sponsor me as an apprentice right off the street...so im going through the apprenticeship program with bcit instead....less school :)