Arizona Automotive Institute — Local services in Glendale

I don't know how folks can bad-mouth, "A A I", saying that they can't find a job or that they are in the hole $ XXX Grand. These people obviously haven't tried very hard or just do not know how to apply themselves or how to apply the knowledge that they took in at "A A I". There is something wrong here, but I will tell you it's not the school!

I am an "A A I" alumni from 1976, I came straight out of high school with only a very basic knowledge of the automobile. My high school auto shop teacher made it all so confusing. After attending "A A I" I had a very complete, thorough, confidant understanding of all the aspects of automotive functions! After graduating, I went back to my home town and went to work at a local gas-station and repair shop. I was able to apply my new knowledge of the trade and was soon earning a decent wage. Two years later I moved to California and took a job at a Honda car dealership. They started me as an apprentice and the next year I had enough confidence to go take the A S E certification tests. I TOOK all 8 at the same time, 4 one week and 4 the next week. One month later got my "A S E MASTERS" certification. I got almost a ten dollar raise and was made a Journeyman Technician at the dealership. I have had a very lucrative career as an "automotive technician "! I make upwards of 60K a year doing something that I dearly love to do. If it weren't for "A A I" I would not have had the most amazing life that I have!

"A A I" IS an amazing school. So to all of you thinking of going, pay attention in class, ask questions if your lost or confused. They really do want you to "GET IT".

So, to all of the whiners whom have posted their maligning complaints, WELL, you didn't pay ATTENTION IN CLASS, so you get to PAY for taking up the time of some of the GREATEST Instructors that the industries have to offer. Also you have taken up valuable time for your former classmates whom "may" have missed out on a very valuable portion of THEIR education.

In conclusion, when in my late thirties, I had the distinct pleasure of passing along many aspects of the automotive trades to, two young technicians, just starting out with our company. Both of these young men had gone though the automotive program at the rival school of "A A I", that's was "U T I"! I don't mind saying that I was less then impressed with their knowledge. They were confused on so many of the very basics, that I just couldn't help myself, but to set them on the straight and narrow. Now, both of them have gone on to achieve their "Master, A S E Certification's". I'm proud of "A A I" and what they have to offer ANYONE

So I'm just gonna admit now, I didn't finish this school. Not because of the the institute, mind you. No, it was due to me realizing that the career I was training for just wasn't for me. So if you REALLY want to train for the jobs that they can help you find, here's my overall feel for what they have to offer (I was training to be a welder).

So first off, the labs are nice and spacious. A lot of room to move around in the open. Plenty of tables, the equipment is well maintained, and safety is ALWAYS a top priority in the eyes of the staff. As for the booths, decent room to move around, tables have a slot for placing your filler rods, and there is never a shortage of equipment. Also, safety glasses. Again, safety is of MAJOR concern here, and the faculty will be sure to remind you to have them on in lab at all times.

Now for the teachers and lessons. Overall, they were all enjoyable in their own way. The first course was mostly in regards to safety, as well as videos about the steel industry and all its fields. Next we had lessons on the welds themselves. First on plate, then T-Joints, followed by beveled plate with and without backing, and pipe afterwards. This was all done with smaw (stick), mind you.

Now for the actual teachers. They were all great, attentive, and an absolute joy to be around. They all have an awesome sense of humor, as well as their own stories from their time on the job. It's a good way to help convey just what you have to expect in the industry, and in the field. Also, YouTube videos. These are indeed used for lessons, but only for aiding in the current lessons for visual learning before starting in lab, and to also point out what the welders in said videos did either right or wrong. That way, you have a reference for when you go to practice.

In short, I can't recommend this place enough for those seeking to become a welder. Not only is it a great learning environment and has caring faculty, there is no shortage of resources for both doing research paper and job searching. If you have a idea of what company of field you wabt to work for, all the better for you. If not, but want to get a good head start for putting your new skills to good use, they will help you in finding a company to get you started in practicing in real-time. Both for while in school, and after graduation. So if you can, take advantage of what they have to offer. You...

Well, let me start off by saying this place is a gigantic waste of money. Then, let me continue on to say that after you waste your money here they will get you ten years down the road by saying that they have "no record of payment"

I attended in 2008, my father paid my initial fees (around 800 dollars) and the rest of the costs were covered by loans.

I attended the school for about half a semester, TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY. They charged me four thousand dollars in total for those 45ish days. The teacher knew less about the subject than most of his students, we were constantly correcting him (the other teacher, mr stricklett, was pretty awesome though, hope he's well away from these douchebags).

Anyhow, I cut bait and continued working at the shop i was at, then started my own, then I got into industrial maintenance.

I was all fine and dandy losing my four grand, I moved on with my life.

I got a call a few months ago out of the blue, ten years later saying that I owe them the initial 800 dollars with interest, making it 1900 dollars!!!

My father died 8 years ago and i have no way of proving he paid, so, here I am writing this review

These people suck, don't trust them,

go to a community college, better curriculum for a fraction of the...