I would love to know how to become a professinal installer. Are there schools (in arizona). How much do they cost? Are there any requierments, Such as age and experience?
Thanks Alot for any info.

 

http://www.mobiledynamics.com/
http://www.installerinstitute.com/
http://www.fukuda-fast.com/FF/index.htm
http://www.ritop.com/

Not sure if any of those are in AZ, but you can look for yourself

L8rs


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Carl
CarAudio Resources

[This message has been edited by GndPrx (edited July 02, 2001).]

 

I went to M.A.E.T.I. in New Jersey. The basic installers certification course is pretty simple. Just pay attention and get your money's worth. You will learn the most on the job. It took me two hours to do a keyless entry upgrade alarm in a cherokee sport the first time. Now I can do it in less than half an hour and doing a good job, with everything completely taped. Try to do as many different car's as possible. If one you've never done before comes into the shop, make sure you're working on it. It's not a bad field to get into. Once you know what you're doing, you can make pretty decent money. I'm turning 21 in september and I've been doing this for almost two years, and it's had it's ups and downs. Try to find a shop that will train you instead of going to a school. The MECP is a piece of cake, just go over the study guide well.

 

Going to any school in order to become a "professional installer" is a waste of money. There are no unions to join and you will not get paid any more.

Best bet is to either volunteer or get a job at a shop and learn from them

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92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps, MacEwen white-face guages
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

 

or.....install one in your car and work on other people cars then, then go train fro the shops, this would give you a good idea of what to do before you start out.

 

I went to Mobile Dynamics, and worked in Sales for a while (and installed for a while). I would suggest that the best way to do it is to learn on your own car, take pictures and learn from your mistakes. I guarantee that spending $1000 on better tools and another $1000 on materials to try stuff you haven't done will get you farther in the long run. Do a killer install, take pictures and use it as your resume. Build a nice book detailing all the stuff you have done to your car.

If I owned a shop, I would much rather have a guy who can drive the bus, than a guy who went to school and is an expert at "reading the map".

Juan

 

Do your self a favor and stay in school, then get a job with a future. If you want to work with your hands, become a tradesman, such as a carpenter or plumber. Both ways will get you a good job and a future. Becoming a car stereo installer for a living is a mistake, there is no future, unless you consider being 50 years old and instaling a radio a future. Precious few go on to become manufacturer reps, and even if you do it's not a stable career. Do you think you will open your own shop someday? Do you know how high the failure rate is. Do you think you will become a head installer or shop manager? Try raising a family or buying a house on that salary. Hey, you may be one of the few that actually do well in the business, good luck, it's your life; live it hard.