The main way you can become a Honda mechanic is through the Honda PACT Program. So, what is the PACT Program? The Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) Program is simply an automotive training program that focuses on the technicalities of Honda vehicles. Since the training is focused, students can receive a better understanding of how Honda vehicles work. The PACT Program focuses on two different types of training, job-based and class-based.
Job-based training in the Honda PACT Program comes through a mandatory internship at a Honda or Acura dealership. This gives students a glimpse of what life after attending a Honda mechanic school will be like. Along with that, it gives students the opportunity to make money while they are getting their Honda mechanic training.
Class-based training on the other hand, is a much more typical mechanic school experience. Students in the Honda PACT Program will be going through an automotive technology program with much greater detail into the specifics of the vehicles. This is only possible because of the focus on the one manufacturer, Honda. Students will gain experience and knowledge working with Honda and Acura vehicles, tools, equipment, and on-the-job experience through their dealership internship.
These are all of the schools in the nation that have partnered with Honda to offer PACT training to aspiring mechanics:
The Honda PACT Program splits into two different paths, the general PACT program and the PACT Collision program. Therefore, depending on which route you take, you will gain different Honda/Acura factory training certifications and even the option to earn ASE certifications.
If you choose to complete the general Honda PACT Program, you will earn the following Honda/Acura factory training certifications: Maintenance, General Electrical Fundamentals, Electrical Systems, Engine, Brake System, Manual Transmission, Automatic Transmission, Air Conditioning, Restraints, Steering and Suspension, and Fuel and Emissions. On top of those ten certifications, you will have the option to earn 2 different ASE certifications.
If you take the other route of the Honda PACT Collision Program, you can earn six Honda/Acura factory training collision repair certifications in the following areas: Service Information, High-Strength Steel, Restraints, Electrical, A/C, and TPMS.
Since Honda has partnered with many different schools across the nation to offer Honda mechanic training, there is not one set of requirements to get into the program. Each school can set their own program requirements and can even require an interview to enter the program. Even though, there are four general guidelines you should keep in mind as these will be almost always required at each Honda mechanic school:
There are many things you can do after going through the Honda PACT Program. From working in a Honda or Acura dealership or finding a job in a Honda/Acura specific auto shop to continuing on for higher education. If you end up working in a Honda dealership there are a few different pathways you can take directly out of the PACT program. Almost all graduates will start as an entry level technician, from there, graduates have five potential paths; sales consultant, retail parts, wholesale parts, mid-level technicians, and service advisor. This shows that there is great opportunity to learn a variety of things while on the job.
Graduates of the Honda PACT’s salary will be about $44,000 as that is the national average of dealership mechanics. Below are a list of the highest paying jobs you could attain through Honda training/experience and their average salaries according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2017).
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians and Mechanics
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers
In the end, this comes down to personal preference. Each manufacturer program has its pros and cons and each manufacturer vehicles have their pros and cons. Therefore, it depends on location and desire. Location is important based on whether you want to stay close to home or go far away. Perhaps there aren’t any other manufacturer programs offered close to you, then the PACT Program is great or vice versa. Second, if your favorite vehicles are Honda/Acura, then you should totally do the PACT Program. This will help you stay interested in your career if you love the vehicles you are working on.
There are 29 different Honda mechanic schools across the nation and 5 locations that offer the Honda PACT collision program. These are in 20 different states; Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
The average time it takes to complete the program is 2 years. Keep in mind, this can be shorter if you have already completed some automotive training prior to entering the PACT program.
This depends on your school. Each school has some freedom with what they can charge for the program, just like a general automotive program.
Students will earn either an associates degree or a certificate in Automotive Technology. Along with this, students will earn 10 Honda specific certifications and the ability to earn 2 ASE certifications.
There are over 1,300 Honda and Acura dealerships across the nation which means Honda PACT graduates have many different options when looking for a job out of mechanic school.