Florida Automotive Schools

Florida automotive schools offer a wide range of programs which include classroom instruction and actual hands-on work to provide a broad based foundation in the repair of automobiles. You will find a list of schools below. If you are interested in learning more about a career in automotive repair, please read our Automotive Technician Career section at the bottom of the page.

An Introduction to Automotive Careers

Florida automotive schools provide students with the opportunity to study for a career in automotive repair and give them a general understanding of the technology that cars, motorcycles and other vehicles utilize. Some schools also offer courses that concentrate on particular aspects of a vehicle. Examples of these courses would be transmission repair or air conditioning maintenance.

Cars have become more affordable but at the same time they also employ more technical components. As a result, it is more difficult for the home hobbyist to complete repairs themselves. By enrolling in a program at an automotive school you will learn the diagnostic skills and techniques required to quickly and easily identify a problem and its cause.

As vehicles and their components become more complex so too do the methods to repair them. Computer software and various technological items are incorporated into most mechanic's workshops because they offer a quick and convenient method to identify a problem and a solution. This does mean, though, that as a trainee mechanic or service technician it will be necessary to have a good understanding of computers and the systems you will need to use.

Employment and Earnings Statistics

There are nearly one million automotive service technicians in the US. The term service technician is becoming more popular because of the wide range of technical knowledge that a person must have. The large majority of service technicians work in dedicated automotive repair shops, dealers and retailers. Technician's jobs may also be found working for private companies with a large fleet of vehicles, government agencies and leasing companies. Approximately 20% of technicians are self-employed.

The average salary is largely dependent on the industry in which a technician works. Overall, the median salary is $16 per hour. Local government-employed technicians and those employed by vehicle dealers earn the most at $38,000 per year.

Future Outlook for Automotive Service Technicians

Despite the rising gas prices, the population is still heavily dependent on the regular and reliable use of their cars. A car is frequently used to take the children to school, drive to work, socialize and travel. Because the majority of people have become dependent on them, it is unlikely that the number of road users will drop in the near future.

The nature of automotive services means that technicians must now focus their attention on more than simple oil changes. Onboard computers are used to monitor and maintain the performance of most new cars and any problems usually require extensive diagnostic work. For this reason, service technicians that are able to boast recent automotive qualifications are the most likely to advance their career.

The Best Course of Education

Florida automotive schools have a good selection of diplomas and certificates available to the student interested in becoming a service technician. An automotive service Associate's Degree gives an extensive knowledge of the various aspects of car maintenance and diagnostics. Prospective employees that are able to show a degree in automotive service management, automotive service technician or automotive technology will be highly sought after.

Job opportunities are expected to continue to increase because even a recession has little effect on automotive repair. While people will often postpone the servicing or repair of a vehicle until the end of a recession, they are still more likely to have a car repaired than buy a new one.

Automotive Program Details

High schools, colleges, and specific automotive schools in Florida all offer automotive programs. While a high school diploma can give a good background in general maintenance, many are designed for the future consumer or part time hobbyist and not for the professional service technician.

Educational courses will deal with the diagnosis of various problems using the appropriate software and hardware. You will also be taught all of the specifics regarding onboard computers, the internal mechanics of a car and even bodywork in some cases. More specific courses are often geared towards one or a small number of components within the car. While these courses give very specific and detailed information on that one area, it is important to pair this with a more comprehensive program in order to gain knowledge on all areas of the car.

Regardless of which course you do eventually choose, it should offer a combination of theoretical classroom work and more hands-on practical experience. You may also be required to cover health and safety in the service technician's role because this is an important element of the workplace.

Additional Resources

For more information, you find the article The Working Life of an Automotive Technician helpful.

Have we forgotten a Florida automotive school?

If you know of a school in Florida offering an automotive program that we don't have listed here, please let us know by emailing us at info@florida-vocational-schools.com.