Maintenance and Light Repair, Pre-Apprentice
Training Programs > Automotive and Machine Repair

Maintenance and Light Repair, Pre-Apprentice

Potential earnings range:
$35,692-$60,590*
Per year after graduation

Do you fix cars in your spare time? Enjoy solving problems and working with your hands?   

Then you may be a good fit for Job Corps’ Maintenance – Light Repair, Pre-Apprentice training program. Pre-apprenticeships are focused on preparing students for a successful experience in a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). That means your hands-on training will be based on industry standards in order to prepare you for high-skill, quality employment. 

On the job, you will ...

  • Identify problems (often by using computerized diagnostic equipment)  
  • Plan work procedures using charts, technical manuals and experience  
  • Test parts and systems to ensure that they work properly  
  • Perform basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, checking fluid levels and rotating tires 

Some of the career options you will have ...

Most Maintenance – Light Repair graduates go on to work for repair, automotive and mechanic shops, including original equipment manufacturing (OEM) dealerships and aftermarket automotive machine shops.  

Students should also consider pursuing Advanced Collision Repair and Refinish – Damage Analysis and Estimating, Advanced Automobile Service Technology, and other Advanced Training programs at Job Corps as part of their career pathway. 

The credentials you will earn ...

In the Maintenance – Light Repair program, you can earn industry-recognized credentials from such organizations as: 

  • National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) 
  • National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) 
  • United Automobile Workers (UAW) 

What you’ll need to start training ... 

  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent (can be earned at all Job Corps centers) 
  • Completion of all introductory and career preparation courses 
  • Passing scores on all written and performance tests 
  • Meet academic (math and reading) requirements 
* Salary information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program and is provided for planning purposes only. Actual salary will depend on student skill level, credentials earned, experience level and location.

Need help meeting one or more of these requirements?

Don’t worry! At Pine Knot Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, our staff will help you along your journey to make sure you have all the tools and resources you need to check those boxes and start your training.

Meet your instructors

Meet your instructors

Daniel Haddix
Daniel Haddix is the Automotive Instructor at Pine Knot Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. Daniel is an ASE-certified master technician with over 32 years of experience in the automotive industry. He is also an ASE Master Certified Automotive Training Instructor and has trained and mentored students in the UAW-LETC-sponsored program at Pine Knot Job Corps for almost 15 years.