Advanced Technology Institute — Attraction in Virginia Beach

I’d like to start off by saying to cut it short go to tidewater tech or join a union (iron workers, pipe fitters, boilermakers, or through Newport News shipyard) but I’ll explain. There is virtually no information on this school and it’s a shame how parents and non knowledgeable students fall into the allusion this school is high quality. I’m in the welding program and as time goes on I get more knowledgeable and way more disappointed. To start off the quality of teachers is low many of them Cannot preform better than the students in certain instances, well that being said the ratio of students is around 15:1 while it sounds okay while learning hands on in a 4 hour session they’re is virtually no time for the teacher to come around and help you out, most of the time you’ll end up learning more from YouTube than your teacher. The program runs your around forty-nine thousand dollars (49,000.00$)(with housing) and the school does not offer many scholarships. Our equipment is not maintained and there are days we’re we can’t weld because of broken equipment. One of the big things that enticed me was the AWS certification program, well the school does have it but unfortunately most schools do so it’s pointless to come to this school on that alone. Our band saws what you will be using to cut the metal are in bad condition and the best one is regularly out of service, the school offers pipe but does not offer a pipe beveler meaning you have to hand bevel (not in the school curriculum) meaning you will spend hours prepping instead of welding. Students have tried to get our voices heard but the teachers and management above them always dismiss us. Lastly the school charges you a tool fee unfortunately you will be buying most of your tools the school barely has equipment to start with but the starter package they give new students is embarrassing. I would not recommend this school to anybody and would actually advise to stay clear do your research look at the quality of the school (equipment, metals offered, starter pack and tools, ask current students how they feel about the program) I hope all you guys succeed welding is amazing but this school is terrible...

When I started the automotive program I was a navy wife and mother of three girls. It was my dream that I put aside to raise my family to work on cars. I have never received such support from a school and it's staff. The instructors did a wonderful job teaching how to be a technician and what to expect from a shop environment. They always pushed me not give up while I worked during the day as a technician and schooled at night, hands on, on becoming an excellent technician. They knew I was exhausted. Because of them I am confident and my career is going extremely well. And yes, they are the reason I landed my first job with no experience in a dealership. Should you choose be a part or enroll your child to be a part, I recommend going in with all the drive an curiosity in the world and they will be more than willing and excited to fill your cup with the knowledge needed to gain the most success out of your career. I feel like I have an extended family in ATI. Thank you from the graduate that you all made sure was dressed and ready to have the honor of walking across the stage for graduation rather than being a cheerleader for new found brothers I completed the program with. I am blessed and you...

I am in the CDL program and I am completely disappointed in this school. There are 0 properly working trucks for the road portion. They put trucks on the road that they know are broke and we have had two trucks break down on us on the road. Some trucks have no ac and when it’s 95 outside it’s about 110 inside the truck. I called Andy the Vice President of ATI to address my issues with the school and he gave nothing but excuses. Telling me that the broken simulator is a back up for broken equipment. The simulator should be used as a learning tool, not for a back up for broken equipment. My schooling here is being funded through the gi bill and I have contacted them too. Why is ati still taking in classes when they are waiting on parts for trucks and the ones they are using for the road are only getting patched to try to make it through. They need to stop taking classes and fix the trucks they have! But they won’t do this bc they care more about money then the education they are supposed to be giving us. I hope the va drops them and stops funding this school! No pint in reaching out to admin here, it will be nothing but excuses...