Hi all. I am considering going to Wyotech to learn fabrication skills. I've searched Wyotech on here and I'm still going through all the results. I'm 35, and looking to change careers. After I got my art degree I ended up in the building trades, doing stone restoration, granite countertops, and last, custom cabinets. Those were okay jobs, but not really of much interest to me, so I've decided to do what does interest me - work with metal (my sculptures are metal, made with scrapyard steel) and cars. So far it looks like most of the responses in the other threads fall into either 1) it's great, 2) it's a waste, 3) just get a job at the bottom rung at a shop, and 4) you get out of it what you put in (not sure I understand that exactly). 1 and 2 are self explanatory, 3 would be great. I admit I'm still researching the industry, but so far it seems to me that experience is valued more than enthusiasm, so it seems like a thing much easier said than done. I could be wrong though. Ideally, I 'd love to learn hands on in a shop from a highly skilled fabricator. I assume 4 means if you take it seriously it's good and if you don't, then it's not. I think this doesn't really apply to me because of my age and motivation. It was kind of funny to read in the other threads that Wyotech has rules about hair length and piercings, etc.. I had no idea. Kind of makes one wonder about some of the kids they get. If I go to Wyotech, Laramie and Sacramento are my choices for the street rod and chassis courses. Does anyone know how much the tuition is these days? How expensive would living in Sacramento and/or Laramie be? I'd prefer the warm weather of CA, but I'm going to need to get a job to afford living in either place. I was also wondering how the specialty schools work. Does one take the Auto technology course and then a specialty course, or can one take the specialty course alone? Also, I find it quite odd that Wyotech basically operates using high pressure sales tactics. I tried to ask them questions through e-mail, phone, and their useless online chat and they wouldn't tell me anything. All they wanted was my information, not to answer my questions. UTI was the same thing. One of their guys was downright insulting when I asked through e-mail what the tuition was. Is this high pressure sales thing common? Anyway, I appreicate any answers and insights you all have. TIA
Going in to school green about fabrication, you will not learn enough to land you a job with the few hours they give you. Better yet, get a personal loan for the same amount that you would require to go to one of those schools. Enroll in your local Community College for a welding and structural engineering class. Don't bother with the other stuff they may want you to take. With the extra money you save not going to WyoTech, buy some good equipment, Oxy-Acetylene rig and some torches. MIG and TIG welder, horizontal cut off band saw and some angle grinders. And then get yourself a project and read. You are already at the best website for learning about traditional cars. You may also want to sign up and read over at http://www.eng-tips.com/ the forums there will literally blow your mind wide open. In the end you will end up with a car you like and debt instead of just debt and a diploma.
Thanks for the reply. I should've added, I have a MIG, and I learned MIG and arc welding (not TIG) in college. I also learned on the oxyactylene torch and plasma cutter. I used to share studio space with another artist post-college who had both.
I THINK you answered your own question. You are absolutely right about what you perceive as agressive sales tactics. WyoTech and UTI sell seat time, NOT proficiency. It is accurate to say that some students consider it a successful experience, even beneficial, and that's great...but by and large, the end result is not what is inferred when they recruit you. Furthermore, you're corrrect that, at least at WyoTech, you must complete the core coursework (6-9 months) before you can take the electives...Chassis Fab, Street Rod, etc. You do recieve an ASE certification from the core course, but NO certifications from the electives. So, you spend a year, more or less, a few months of which is spent in the Chassis Fab course, spend 1/2 of that in lecture (and trust me, the curriculum is poor), the other 1/2 on the shop floor... ...but of the 1/2 time you are on the shop floor, you are going through competency training (welding/cutting processes, in various positions)...and even if you are good, you are limited in terms to the fact that you have 35-40 students, and 2, maybe 3 instructors, so getting through comps is a matter of logistics... ...and FINALLY you get to "personal project" time...the last few remaining weeks...and if you are lucky, you get to pursue your project, provided the lead Instructor isn't a hick dipshit and unilaterally denies your project, in which case you get to build an engine stand. How do I know this? I was the initial Chassis Fab instructor at WyoTech West Sacramento. I was there for a year, required to cover both day AND night classes because they pre-sold classes that they didn't have enough instructors for... Interestingly, there is another facility, in Rapid City SD, called Hot Rod Institute. All I know about them is that hot rod and motorcycle fabrication is ALL they teach, and the organization was started by a guy who was intrumental in the original WyoTech curriculum development, some years ago. Finally...El Polacko suggests a viable alternative.
Thanks for the reply. The cabinet shop I was working for went under, so now is a good time for me to go to back to school. Unfortunately, I can only find two classes at the local comm college, one basic welding and one intermediate. I think I already have decent mig skills from college, so the basic would be a waste of time. I'm going to sign up for the intermediate one. I was hoping for 3 or 4 classes I could knock out at a time, since the earlier I can get another job, the better. At least I already have a welder, cutoff tools, and vise grips/clamps I don't have to buy. Anyone got any good book recommendations on chassis/frame/sheet metal fabrication?
Do a search here for the Hot Rod Institute. Several students are on the HAMB. The gent that runs HRI CREATED the Wyotech and Virgina programs. It is located here in Rapid City.
Checked it out. Looked promising until I read you have to have health care. I can't afford it, especially on top of tuition.
http://www.metalcrafttoolsskillcenter.com/ Mark has a great program. Fellow HAMBER and a lot closer than Wyoming. Mike
From someone who attended and graduated from Wyotech... it is not all that its played out to be, don't get me wrong I did learn a lot. I seem to have learned a lot more being an apprentice in an actual shop than what I had gone over in books at Wyotech. It is not as hands on as you would like, and you would need to complete 6 months of pointless General automotive classes, and than you get 3 months of your elective, which is mostly in class curriculum. Also if you would like to be treated as if you are straight out of high school, and thrown into a military like setting than go for it. After financial aid and being charged twice the tuition in finance charges, doesnt seem like it was worth it to me. I agree with everyone else. Dont do it! my two cents.
If you want to get into metal fab get a job in the field!!!! The schooling is not going to help you much!!!! Yes you start off low man but you get out what you put in is correct!!!! I went to Wyo Tech also!!!!! Didnt help me out!
Its a crying shame you are not in texas. I went to Texas State Technical College in waco and it was great. I got a degree in diesel equipment technology. At least 80% of our time was spent in a shop working on engines, transmissions, differentials, air brakes, and a lot of other stuff. The instructors were all very knowlegable in their field with tons of experience. TSTC has a crap load of different degree programs that you can take. They are very resonable on tuition and housing on campus. Plus financial aid is great. Check them out if you want. Hope you find what you are looking for. Cooter Bob Wexler.
As a grad of wyotech 2 years ago "SASS" and" ELpolacko" are on point. If you think 30G+ is worth probable getting an apprentice position/ or just to help you work in you garage. then go for it.. It give you a basic over view of the industrie. Some of the instructor are the best part you get more out of 30 min one on one (if you can befriend them )than you get out of 8 hour day of class. Brickster is on here and he was my night class lead and he know his shit. the school was setup as an altenitive to jail in the 60-70 and yes the dress codes and police are searous. I found if you can get a good job lead before you go then its a little easer. the biggest problem for me and i guess you is money after you get out im 32 and have a family to support and you cant do that on 10-14 dollars starting low man wage that you are more than likely gona get offerd when you get out. Alot of that is due to the 18 year old KIDS that go on mommy and daddys dime (party,drink,now work ethic)and got out and went to work at a shop and could not do any thing they though they could do and employer are done with Tecker kids.
Well, I haven't read the posts..but I went to Wyotech at 24, came out, build hot rods professionally, and even though I decided to leave the shop I was at, I use everything I added to my portfolio everyday...( I went there with an history of cars as a hobby and a profession), as well as machining...Its expensive, and if you go there with no expectations other than learning everything you can, you'll do ok.... I also assume since you're in your 30's, you don't expect things to be handed to you and the well, I graduated from so ansd so school, so give me money attitude isn't there either.You're in Ohio right...why not go to The Blairsville ( thats where I went) campus.. I've been to Laramie, theres not much to do, at least in PA you could go home if you wanted to without much hassle...Good luck, drop me a PM if you want to know more...
I cream will rise to the top. If you are cut out to make it in this industry then whatever path you take will most likely pay off. For me it did. I can think of another 20+ people I went to school with or had as students at WyoTech that went on to do fantastic. Unfortunatly that is not the case for everyone. Most of the rewarding parts of my adult life revolve around my love for cars and that includes my time at WyoTech. Brick
WyoTech= Giant ass waste of time and money. learn in a shop. I made the trade school mistake. still dont have job even after 5 months, not even an interview. if an employer sees Wyotech on your resume you will never hear from them. Laramie: school and living bout $28,000
Brick, you and I went around a few times on this subject. Your statement is something that I have always believed. The question is, does the school as they exist serve the exceptional student well or does it waste his time and money?
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