how do i get my mercedes tech licence - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

daveCT · #1 02-21-2003, 09:38 PM

hi
i was worndering if there is a Mercedes/Porsche school i can attend to become a mercedes mech?, i have been fixing them only for 8 yrs now and would like to become certified? Any hints?
thanks
dave

1986 190 2.3 16v
1974 iroc 911 racecar
benson gyrocopter

MTI · #2 02-21-2003, 09:58 PM

I believe MB offers an "ELITE" service certification program for mechanics. I don't know if you have to be an employee or if there are prerequisites for getting into the training program.

daveCT · #3 02-21-2003, 10:18 PM

i have looked into the UTI elite program, i was wondering if
UTI was the ONLY program offered by MB, seems to be alot of experts on this site that would know this.
thanks

Gilly · #4 02-21-2003, 10:39 PM

There are a few options.
The ELITE program is offered to more than just UTI grads. Attending UTI isn't a guarantee that you'll get into ELITE, lets get that straight. Here are what is listed as qualifications for ELITE training:

Graduate from a NATEF Master Certified Automotive program
Pass a Mercedes-Benz entrance exam
Valid drivers license and clean driving record
Interview and recommendation by a designated recruitment representative
Sign a letter of intent to work exclusively for a Mercedes-Benz dealer for a period of 12 months
Student must have acceptable attendance while in school
Student must have a 3.0 GPA
Agree to random drug testing while in the program
Have a current resident alien if a student from outside the USA

To get further info on going the ELITE route, go to the mercedes-Benz Career website:

http://www.mercedesbenzcareers.com/

There should be more information on the ELITE program at the MB Careers website.

The other route, if you feel you don't want to go this route, is to begin working for a Mercedes-Benz dealer, and they should, assuming you show promise as a good tech, send you to training at the MB training centers for dealer personnel.

Gilly

Gilly · #5 02-21-2003, 10:55 PM

Here is a link also to UTI. They section of UTI that conducts the Mercedes ELITE program, among others, is called the "Custom Training Group". Again, don't confuse the regular traing UTI offers with ELITE, you don't neccesarily have to go through tech school with UTI to qualify to go through ELITE training. Custom Training Group also has traing for BMW, Jaguar, International, Audi, Porsche, VW, and Volvo.
Here's the link:
http://www.uticorp.com/index.html

Gilly

daveCT · #6 02-21-2003, 11:33 PM

gilly

Thanks for the links, very interesting reading. It looks like to become a mercedes elite tech from UTI, i would have to pass
a Lower Uti corse first then apply to the mecedes elite training
Great for me because Porsche training will have to be first !!
I know them inside and out so.. well it should be a breeze then.
Only downfall to all of this is the only posche training center is in
Georgia, Not to wild about Georgia, but only 19 weeks
Great!!!!
thanks gilly
dave

86 190E 2.3 16v
74 911 (1100 lbs 200hp)
benson gyrocopter

Gilly · #7 02-22-2003, 06:51 AM

Dave
I was VERY specific with you on this, I will state it one more time:
You DO NOT have to attend a "lower" course by UTI to attend ELITE training. I can't say this for sure about Porsche training. You only need to attend a course which the Custom Training Group recognizes (NATEF Master Certified Automotive programs).
From what I understand, you'd need to decide which one you want to go to, MB or Porsche, as you need to sign a letter of intent to get into the MB program, and I would guess Porsche requires the same thing. With MB you'd need to agree to work for a dealer for a year also.
I'd also state you don't get "license" to work on the cars.
The prerequisite courses are usually 2 year programs, are you in a position where you can go to school for 2 years before getting into one of these classes, and would you really be willing to go through that, given you've been working on them 8 years and know them inside and out?
I guess I'm confused on what you are seeking. Again I've been a dealer tech almost 10 years, I have no "license" yet, there is none. If you want to get into MB or Porsche manufacturer training, get a job at a dealer, they will send you to training.

Gilly

pentoman · #8 02-22-2003, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gillybenztech

Agree to random drug testing while in the program

?!
Ability to lift the engine out of a 500SL with one arm is a giveaway on this front.

Seriously though.. drug testing ?!

stevebfl · #9 02-22-2003, 12:33 PM

Interesting all this info on MB training. Getting trained technicians is becoming more and more a problem.

Probably the biggest problem is that there is almost NO place in the US where any form of licensing exists. In the few places where regulation does exist only the most basic automotive testing is required.

I haven't been in the dealer loop in over a quarter century so I haven't a good idea of their certification level. I do know that I hired an experienced tech from Toyota and during his training at my shop a much less senior Toyota Tech left and went to the dealer. He started working on cars immediately knowing nothing specific to MB. (I know all this as I got periodic reports from my tech as the other guy did get to go to MB school before I sent my guy anywhere. He might strees this school issue if he had to pay any of his families Blue Cross coverage as does his friend that works for the dealer.

Anyway, strange as it may seem there is only one real certification mechanism in the US that has any teeth. Amazing as it may seem AAA is the mechanism. To be a AAA approved repair facility, one must meet many business criteria (not worth mentioning) before they do a police background check on the principles. Once these basic requirements are met they come and visit. They require an ASE certified tech for each area of the car that AAA approval is sought. With each area there are intense tool requirements (which they visibly inspect). After all this, the shop must submit 100 consecutive work orders to which AAA does a CSI report through contact with these customers. Only shops with a 90% CSI are accepted.

I'll bet you would find a bunch of MB dealers that couldn't pass the tests.

mpnye · #10 02-22-2003, 01:30 PM

Ya Steve,

If licensing were implemented, 70% of techs would be up the creek . . .

Gilly · #11 02-22-2003, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Seriously though.. drug testing ?!

Sure, why not? While in the program. It's not that long of an ordeal to go through the program. But it's very intensive and they expect a certain amount of concentration and dedication while in the program. I don't know if they actually make any students submit to a random drug test or not, they just have to agree from the start to take a drug test if asked. Maybe it's just a gauge of character if you agree to submit to a random drug test if asked to.
If you have a problem with the random drug test, do you also have a problem with a 3.0 GPA and good attendance while in school? Of course not. This is the type of student they are after, someone who shows up to school (work) every day, tries hard and does well, keeps his/herself out of trouble.

Gilly