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In 2021, there were 6,386,830 registered vehicles in Los Angeles County – the highest number in the state. This statistic likely contributes to the state's employment of automotive mechanics.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), California had the highest employment level of automotive service technicians and mechanics in the United States in May 2021.47
Auto mechanics are invaluable to the Greater Los Angeles area. If you want to serve your community through a job that allows you to work with your hands and problem solve, consider training at an auto mechanic school.
On this page, we’ll discuss what you learn during auto mechanic training and how it can benefit you, and we’ll point you toward automotive schools near you.
Auto Mechanic Training
There’s no requirement for formal training, but you’ll find that obtaining auto mechanic training can help in your job search. During auto mechanic training programs, students learn the ins and outs of a vehicle and how to use current technology and tools.
A good auto mechanic training program will prepare students to do the following:
- Utilize electronic technology relevant to the industry
- Accurately diagnose and repair vehicles of various makes and models
- Determine drivability
- Properly service a vehicle through maintenance, such as oil changes
- Communicate findings with the customer
If these are skills you'd like to enter the field with, let's discuss how to choose the right auto mechanic school for you.
Automotive Mechanic School in California
California is home to many mechanic schools. Finding the right fit can feel overwhelming, but there are a few ways to make your “automotive schools near me” search more effective.Start by checking admissions requirements. Most technical schools in California require a high school diploma or GED. However, others may be flexible.
The next thing is to ensure the auto schools you're interested in are accredited by an agency recognized by the Department of Education. Universal Technical Institute’s (UTI’s) Automotive Technology program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Careers Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This agency holds colleges to standards that prove a certain level of education.
Last but certainly not least – evaluate the school’s industry relationships and employer relationships. Industry and employer relationships suggest two things about an auto school:
- Their curriculum provides the training leading brands are looking for.
- They provide opportunities to network with employers before you graduate.
UTI has manufacturer relationships with 35+ leading brands that give students access to industry technology while they train and opportunities to connect with top employers as graduates.1
Service Director of Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown, Mark Malizzi, echoed the importance of an education like the one UTI offers, “A lot of the people we’re investing in, the UTI graduates who are coming out now, some of them are going to be in five to 10 years, my senior master technician."
Automotive School Courses Offered at UTI Long Beach
UTI’s Long Beach automotive program provides students with a foundation of technical knowledge and skills they can build upon. Through a blended learning model of online instruction and hands-on application, they learn to maintain, diagnose and repair domestic and foreign vehicles. Mechanic school courses at UTI include:
- Automotive Engines Service & Repair
- Professional Automotive Service Writing
- Automotive Powertrains & Transmissions
- Vehicle Steering & Suspension Service & Repair
- Vehicle Electronic Systems & Technology
- Vehicle Brake Systems
- Automotive Climate Control Systems & Repair
- Automotive Power/Performance & Emissions Repair
- Advanced Technology/Hybrid & Service Advising
- Battery Electric Vehicle Technology
Upon completing the core program, qualified students of UTI Long Beach can choose to take the BMW FastTrack Manufacturer-Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) program. The 12-week program supplies students with knowledge specific to BMW, as well as seven factory credentials, and graduates may also achieve a BMW Associate Level III certification after completion of BMW-specific Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) testing and hands-on assessments.8
This certification proves mechanics can provide quality vehicle repair and service. While it isn't legally required in California, many aspiring mechanics obtain it to make themselves competitive within the workforce.
UTI’s automotive program is Master Certified by the ASE Education Foundation, helping graduates become prepared for the exam. To take the exam, you need two years of relevant work experience. UTI graduates can substitute their mechanic school training for one of those years.
Automotive Career Outlook Near Los Angeles, CA
Auto service technicians and mechanics in California are the third highest earners among other auto service technicians and mechanics in the country.
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the U.S. was $47,770 in May 2023.25 This means half of the automotive technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand, and cost of living in the area.
As previously mentioned, the state also had the highest employment level of automotive mechanics in the United States in May 2021 at 60,910, and total auto technician employment in the U.S. is expected to exceed 815,000 by 2033.47
Auto Mechanic Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
There are a few different careers in automotive technology graduates can pursue. Most of our grads start out working as entry-level technicians or in other entry-level roles. As with any industry, over time, you may be able to advance in your career with hard work. Entry-level roles that graduates can pursue include: 77
- Automotive technician: These mechanics inspect, maintain, and diagnose vehicles of various makes and models. They typically work in automotive repair shops or dealerships.
- Parts associate: These auto techs build an in-depth knowledge of various vehicle components. Their duties include stocking, identifying, ordering, inspecting, and sorting parts.
- Service writer: Service writers have excellent customer service and communications skills. Using their diagnostic experience, they create work orders for auto technicians and act as a source of knowledge for customers throughout the repair process.
- Smog inspector: These employees perform smog checks, keep records of inspection and repair, and hold repair shops to local compliance emission standards.
Directions From Los Angeles to UTI Long Beach
The route you take depends on what part of Los Angeles you’re traveling from. Let’s break down the directions from various parts of the city.
- East LA: Take the I-710 S until Exit 8B. Merge onto CA-91 E, until Exit 14A, or Paramount Boulevard. Turn left on Cover Street and exit the roundabout at Worsham Ave. The campus will be on your left.
- South LA: Get on the I-110 S. Take Exit 14A onto CA-91 E. Take Exit 14A or Paramount Boulevard. Follow Paramount Boulevard all the way to Cover Street. Turn left and exit the roundabout at Worsham Ave. The campus will be on your left.
- Central LA: Take the US-101 S to the I-5 S. Take Exit 130B onto the I-710 S. Take Exit 8B onto the CA-91 E until Exit 14A or Paramount Boulevard. Follow Paramount Boulevard to Cover Street and then turn left. Exit the roundabout at Worsham Ave, and the campus will be on your left.
UTI Long Beach neighbors popular California cities that many students come from or choose to find employment in upon graduating. Nearby communities include:
- Los Angeles
- Stockton
- Elk Grove
- Roseville
- Vacaville
- Folsom
- San Bernardino
- Anaheim
- Irvine
- Santa Monica
- Venice
CAMPUS LOCATION
4175 East Conant Street
Long Beach, CA 90808
M-F | 8am-5pm | Hours
Campus Tours
TU&TH | 10am, 2pm,
6pm
W | 10 am & 2 pm
F&SAT | 10am
& 1pm
562-541-7000 | Campus
800-834-7308 | Admissions
844-308-8840 | Financial Aid
844-308-8838 | Student Services
562-541-7058 | Career Services
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Other Programs Offered at UTI Long Beach
UTI’s Long Beach campus has more to offer than just auto mechanic school. The following programs are currently offered at the Long Beach campus:
Airframe and Powerplant
The Airframe & Powerplant Technician program provides aviation mechanic training that can be completed in just 18 months.
The curriculum taught in this program teaches students to:
- Perform aircraft inspections
- Adhere to FAA regulations
- Maintain, repair and troubleshoot aircraft
Upon graduating, students can pursue careers as aviation, turbine, or field technicians.79
Collision and Auto Body Repair
UTI’s Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program teaches students to restore vehicles damaged in accidents. The program starts every three to six weeks and takes 51 to 54 weeks to complete.
Created with help from I-CAR, an industry provider for collision repair training standards, the curriculum prepares students to pursue careers in the industry upon completion of the core program. Graduates receive a diploma and earn multiple I-CAR certifications.
Most graduates pursue entry-level careers as collision-repair technicians, appraisers, estimators, or inspectors.
Diesel Technology Program
Long Beach’s Diesel Technology program equips students with the technical skills they need to maintain, diagnose, and repair diesel-powered equipment and vehicles. The program can be completed in just 45 weeks and has start dates every three to six weeks.7
Graduates leave the program prepared for a number of industries, ranging from mining to agriculture. Students who complete the diesel program at Long Beach receive a diploma. They will also be prepared to take the ASE certification exam. Like automotive students, their schooling will count toward one of the two years required to become ASE certified.
Welding Technology Program
The welding program at UTI Long Beach prepares students for careers as combination welders by teaching them the four major welding processes: GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, AND SMAW. At the end of the program, graduates receive a diploma to prove their skills.
Graduates of UTI’s welding program have skills relevant to various industries, including construction, manufacturing, ship and boat building and more.
FAQ
How Long Does It Take to Become an Auto Mechanic?
The amount of time it takes you to become a mechanic depends on the automotive school you attend. At UTI, students can graduate in just 51 weeks.7
Is Mechanic School Worth it?
According to the BLS, employers prefer to hire candidates who have attended a post-secondary education program, as it provides them with both instruction and hands-on practice. Attending a mechanic school helps students gain the skills needed for the industry.
How Much Do Auto Mechanics Make?
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for automotive service technicians and mechanics in the United States was $46,970 in May 2022.25 This means half of the automotive technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary depends on several factors, including experience, employer, demand, and cost of living in the area.
Train to Become an Auto Mechanic at UTI Long Beach
UTI Long Beach’s mechanic school offers convenient start dates every three to six weeks. If you’re ready to take the next step toward an exciting career, call 800-834-7308 to talk to an Admissions Representative or fill out an auto mechanic school application.
If you’d still like to learn more about the campus or program, you can schedule a campus tour or request more info online.