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Any Acura/Honda certified technicians here?

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Old 08-Dec-2003, 10:01 PM
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Any Acura/Honda certified technicians here?

Hi.

I want to know if anybody here is a Acura/Honda certified technician.

If you are, please indicated how you became certified....

I'm very interested into taking the apprenticeship program offered at Centinnial College. I want to know if anybody has done it, or if you know of someone who did it and what they thing of it...

Is this a good investment? Does it pay well? And how is the job market for it? Any room for improvement afterwards?

Thanks in advance for your comments.
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Old 08-Dec-2003, 11:08 PM
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Faraz....I think on this board the only person who works for honda is MY SiR...however, he's an engineer for honda and not a mechanic. Mark has a Bachelor of Engineering from U of T.

My mechanic that I go to in Brampton is a honda/acura certified mechanic, and so are most of his staff. I've seen his Honda Certificate...he's the real deal. He's the only person who works on my car.
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Old 08-Dec-2003, 11:18 PM
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the only people who work on my car and me and my buddy Helm
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Old 08-Dec-2003, 11:19 PM
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James thanks for the reply man!
I thought nobody was gonna answer my question....

See, I'm wrapping up my Electronics Engineering Technology-Computers diploma from Seneca.

However, I see my future more into auto-mechanics. However, I don't wanna get stock in some muffler shop for the rest of my life...

I wanna get into Automobile industry, but I wanna take a road that won't end up to a dead-end. I wanna have LOTS of room for improvement, and ofcourse, better salaries!!

I was thinking my Electronics diploma could help too....

However, I'm at a point, that I need some approvals, and positive feed backs, so I can choose my way with confidence...

I think this program in right for me. Its just what I need. However, I'm a bit concerned, if this is a good decision to make....
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Old 08-Dec-2003, 11:21 PM
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Originally posted by loudsubz
the only people who work on my car and me and my buddy Helm
Matt is the BOSS !!
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Old 08-Dec-2003, 11:42 PM
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Faraz: Just make sure you know what your getting into man. Think it out clearly, try and get a hands on idea and see how people in the indsutry like it.

Ive listened to some people who work automotive day in day out and when they come home the last thing they wana do is work on their cars, they get sick of them.

Man oh man would I love to work on cars all day, do swaps and cool stuff but in reality thats just a small percent of it, the rest is the general labour that most day to day tasks revolve around.

If thats the area your looking at, if your heading in a totally diff direction then ignore this post

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Old 09-Dec-2003, 12:05 AM
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Who's the engineer for Honda? If you read this, could you please pm me... I have a few questions for you...
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 12:07 AM
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Matt I know what you're reffering to bro...

However, I see myself well beyond that. I HATE labour work! The only reason I have being doing it now is because I hate paying astonishing rates to the garages, when I can do it with my own hands and having the personal satisfaction as well....

Now, like everybody else, I don't like to being forced to do it neither, you see what I mean?
Its fun to tune your suspension once in a while, or add some subs and amps and some engine mods and etc.... However, if your are forced to change mufflers all day long just so you can supposrt your family, that I think is pure torture!!

I wanna take a different way. Working as a certified technician for a little while, then using my Electrical Engineering diploma apply for a better position with-in the company and so on and on...

Hopefully one day I will be the chief engineer or maybe Technical Advisor for Honda Canada Ltd.

I would love to hear from people in industry. The ones that have already done this and are currently working....

I just don't know where to look for these people...
I thought I post here, maybe I meet someone with-in the industry....

hmmmmm.....
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 12:14 AM
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sounds like someone has tunnel vision
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 12:24 AM
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Originally posted by JookSingKid
sounds like someone has tunnel vision
Hey, whats so impossible about this tunnel vision?
I think its very promising.
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 12:33 AM
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Originally posted by 1niceSi
...
My mechanic that I go to in Brampton is a honda/acura certified mechanic, and so are most of his staff. I've seen his Honda Certificate...he's the real deal. He's the only person who works on my car.
who's ur honda mech in brampton??
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 09:13 PM
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?
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 10:18 PM
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[i]

I wanna get into Automobile industry, but I wanna take a road that won't end up to a dead-end. I wanna have LOTS of room for improvement, and ofcourse, better salaries!!

I was thinking my Electronics diploma could help too....

However, I'm at a point, that I need some approvals, and positive feed backs, so I can choose my way with confidence...

I think this program in right for me. Its just what I need. However, I'm a bit concerned, if this is a good decision to make....
[/B]
good thinking
think of a job that can expand
u dont want to be stuck in one job with a fixed salary for the rest of ur liFE!
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 10:23 PM
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i'm an apprentice at a honda dealer, and i'm going to start school soontime, if you become an apprentice at a dealer, they pay for your schooling, however if you wanna pay all that money and the start working, it's the same shizl, however you may not like being an auto mechanic, my advice to you, is start working in a shop, or at a dealer or something, and see how you like it, don't jump in with two feet cuz it might not be your cup of tea

Doug
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Old 09-Dec-2003, 10:39 PM
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Originally posted by JookSingKid
sounds like someone has tunnel vision
Oh to be young and KNOW what you want....




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Old 09-Dec-2003, 10:50 PM
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Originally posted by Duge
i'm an apprentice at a honda dealer, and i'm going to start school soontime, if you become an apprentice at a dealer, they pay for your schooling, however if you wanna pay all that money and the start working, it's the same shizl, however you may not like being an auto mechanic, my advice to you, is start working in a shop, or at a dealer or something, and see how you like it, don't jump in with two feet cuz it might not be your cup of tea

Doug
Understood, Sir!

I will try to get into a dealership and see how the others are doing there... I will speak to them and see what they think of it...

How is the money BTW? Is it enough to support a family on? Would you be able to specialize in a specific area? Say... a VTEC motor specilist....?
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Old 10-Dec-2003, 03:42 AM
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Gatsby, if you're going to start in a dealership without prior mechanical experience, you'll be a wash bay guy guaranteed. You'll do that for at least 2 years if you're smart...meanwhile, if you're willing to learn, you'll be able to find one or two technicians that will help you learn...(btw, mechanics are no longer classified as mechanics...instead, they are called Technicians because in most cases, the need for a specialist is no longer required). Technicians are required to have knowledge and experience in all areas mechanical and non mechanical. You can be a technician and have special experience in say, transmissions, but, you won't be classified as such. Personally, I find the technician's program at Centennial to be a lil more theory and less hands on. The program I took was at a College called The Automotive Training Centre. They have a 6 month intense program of theory and hands on and a co-op program to follow. Plus, they also have placements for you that are included in the educational training process, meaning a job as soon as you graduate. Centennial does not. Go check it out for yourself at www.automotivetrainingcentre.com

To answer some of your other questions, a fully licensed mechanic receives about 24-26 dollars an hour...a guy with 15 years experience will get max 26/hour. For someone starting out in a dealership that is licensed, will get from 18-21 an hour. Depending on your productivity, you can make 80,000 a year easy since dealerships are fixed on a flat rate system...meaning, considering your rate per hour is 20 bucks...if you have a job to do an oil change, rotate tires, and brake pads replacement, and all of this is completed in less than an hour when the computer says it should take 2 hours to do it all, you get still get 40 bucks even thought it only took you less than an hour to complete. This is how technicians in a dealership work to pay off their boats and cars and houses...LOL....it's a leucrative business but, fast pased if you want the big bucks. I've got a buddy at Sisley Honda who made 110,000 dollars last year and he even left at 5 o'clock pm when everyone else was still finishing up their last jobs. Just a lil food for thought...hope that helps.

If you have any more questions, just gimme a ring...

Cheers,
Buddah.
 
Old 10-Dec-2003, 10:24 PM
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is ATC a good place for someone who has zero mechanical apptitude to start? Or would you recommend another place to start off?
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Old 11-Dec-2003, 12:49 AM
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Originally posted by Buddah
Gatsby, if you're going to start in a dealership without prior mechanical experience, you'll be a wash bay guy guaranteed. You'll do that for at least 2 years if you're smart...meanwhile, if you're willing to learn, you'll be able to find one or two technicians that will help you learn...(btw, mechanics are no longer classified as mechanics...instead, they are called Technicians because in most cases, the need for a specialist is no longer required). Technicians are required to have knowledge and experience in all areas mechanical and non mechanical. You can be a technician and have special experience in say, transmissions, but, you won't be classified as such. Personally, I find the technician's program at Centennial to be a lil more theory and less hands on. The program I took was at a College called The Automotive Training Centre. They have a 6 month intense program of theory and hands on and a co-op program to follow. Plus, they also have placements for you that are included in the educational training process, meaning a job as soon as you graduate. Centennial does not. Go check it out for yourself at www.automotivetrainingcentre.com

To answer some of your other questions, a fully licensed mechanic receives about 24-26 dollars an hour...a guy with 15 years experience will get max 26/hour. For someone starting out in a dealership that is licensed, will get from 18-21 an hour. Depending on your productivity, you can make 80,000 a year easy since dealerships are fixed on a flat rate system...meaning, considering your rate per hour is 20 bucks...if you have a job to do an oil change, rotate tires, and brake pads replacement, and all of this is completed in less than an hour when the computer says it should take 2 hours to do it all, you get still get 40 bucks even thought it only took you less than an hour to complete. This is how technicians in a dealership work to pay off their boats and cars and houses...LOL....it's a leucrative business but, fast pased if you want the big bucks. I've got a buddy at Sisley Honda who made 110,000 dollars last year and he even left at 5 o'clock pm when everyone else was still finishing up their last jobs. Just a lil food for thought...hope that helps.

If you have any more questions, just gimme a ring...

Cheers,
Buddah.
Thank You!
Finally some pleasant and promissing comments. Seems like this isn't a bad idea after all.

See, I like auto mechanics. I work on friend's and my own car. Cylinder heads make me high! 15+ psi Turbo systems get me aroused! I study MUCH more car stuff, than my own program (Electrical Engineering Technology). And I have a mental condition for well built cars!!

So I thought, why not try and make money out of this craziness....? You should be doing what you like, right? Therefore I'm gonna try and get into a dealership, which I can talk and work with technicians and see how I'll like it in reality....

Thanks Buddah for your time man. I appreciate your comments...
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Old 11-Dec-2003, 10:40 AM
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i once wanted to do the same thing...then i realized sitting on my *** and hitting a key on a keyboard once in a while was better
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