
Formal training is traditionally preferred by employers in the automotive service, maintenance, and repair industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In Nashville, auto mechanic schools offer a variety of training programs centered around fields such as automotive, diesel and motorcycle technology. Although the length of each program varies, most training can be completed in six months to one year. Courses cover a range of areas, from learning to diagnose issues to conducting routine vehicle maintenance. Auto mechanic schools in Nashville also offer online education options--flexible courses for working individuals.
Advanced certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is available after completing training at an auto mechanic school. Certifications are clustered around various industry sectors and nearly 400,000 professional currently hold ASE certifications. BLS data shows there were approximately 3,600 auto service technicians and mechanics employed in the greater Nashville metropolitan area who earned a mean annual income of nearly $37,000 in 2009. Bus and truck mechanics earned over $42,200 and auto body repairers earned almost $48,000.