Online Training Testimonials

Trevor Wells
As I am sure with most people within this industry, passion for engines and making things work better has always been a driving force for me. As a huge fan of racing, and as a racer myself, I find it very interesting to try and implement ways to improve performance and push the boundaries of the rules. I recently finished my undergraduate studies at Ferris State University with a degree in Automotive Engineering Technology where I also took two classes on engine machining. Those classes at Ferris assured me that I enjoyed engine machining, so much so that I started working at Performance Crankshaft Inc., in Ferndale, MI. It was also apparent that only a few months of classes, that only meet for a few hours a week, was not enough time to learn as much as this field requires in order to be successful, which is why I turned to the AERA training courses. Upon completion, I can say that I have a lot more knowledge of the theory and processes for engine rebuilding, and although I cannot say that I have mastered every aspect of the contents of the course, I do have a foundation that will allow me to master them at a much faster pace. I believe that the training courses will help any novice to engine rebuilding or to those more experienced looking to broaden their knowledge in the field.

Jay Hereid
The technical knowledge I received from studying the Gary Lewis book has got to be the most thorough amount of information I’ve ever seen on the subject. I’m very blessed to have passed the AERA exams and will continue to keep learning in this field. Thank you AERA and God bless.

Barry Lewis
I’m going on 23 years of experience in the automotive field. I work as an automotive instructor at Southeast Community College in Milford, Nebraska, and run Lewis Automotive and Performance. I have been an ASE certified Master Automotive Technician for 21 years and excited to have recently completed the courses for cylinder head machinist and engine machinist via AERA’s online certification. The program is well laid out and I would recommend it to those who are entry-level to experienced machinists. It will help me continue to pursue my passion as well as students in the engine machining/building field. I have successfully machined and built engines picking up multiple IMCA track championships, a NASCAR track championship, local NHRA drag racing wins, state derby car championships along with car/truck restorations to OEM engine repairs. AERA is a great organization with lots of networking opportunities and individuals in place to help the industry continue to grow in a positive way.

Matthew Urcan
I’m a 20-year-old car guy from Southern California. I work as an Automotive Technician at Record Performance in El Monte and I work at Citrus College as a student worker. I maintain and operate the engine machine shop there. I also work on two professional funny cars in NHRA and UNFC drag racing. The AERA certification test has been a great experience for me as a machinist in training and I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in the profession.

Dylan Walls
I am actively serving in the United States Air Force as an Aerospace Maintenance Technician and have been taking courses in the automotive industry to pursue my goals of one day running
my own performance shop. I came across AERA shortly after graduation of my first technical class and figured I would give it a try. I can’t express enough how much this course can benefit engine builders (of any level) or future machinists. If you want fundamentals from teardown to inspection and cleaning, from refurbishing to pre-assembly, to final assembly and break in; this course definitely checks the boxes.

Richard Orlikowski, Goodson Shop Supplies, Winona, MN
Goodson hosted an AERA conference… Sitting through the sessions piqued my interest and I wanted to learn more. Dave Monyhan recommended the AERA Certification program as a way to get the additional education I was looking for. The program was great and I learned a lot.

Evan Tegmeyer, Jasper Engines and Transmissions
I have been with Jasper for several years and worked in many different areas including engine disassembly, block/head repair, gas engine block machining and engine block cleaning. I am currently the team leader in gas engine block machining/cleaning for their 4.6/5.4 Ford Triton line. The AERA Machinist program is a great way to not only learn, but to also improve upon what you already know. I found all of the material provided in the program to be very informative and well explained. The fact that it is a self-paced, comprehensive program really makes it nice. It gives the student time and opportunity to truly understand the material and learn something rather than just pass a test. I highly recommend the AERA online training program to anyone in the automotive field who wants to learn and improve in the engine machinist area. I really enjoyed taking part in this program.

Jayesh S. Mistry
Coming from a Mechanical Engineering background, I’ve always loved cars and engines and how things worked. Though I had a basic idea of how IC Engines worked and the mechanisms that go into it, I needed something more refined to help me understand how to build an engine hands on from scratch. On completing AERA’s Online Training & Certification program, I was better able to understand IC Engine rebuilding and machining, which boosted my confidence in communicating with my machine shop staff as well as customers. The course was well placed and each chapter was very informative. Upon completing the course, the two certificates I got look very professional and I feel very proud of having them. Thank you AERA!

Jesal N. Mistry
I come from a Computer Science background, and I found it difficult to find a good comprehensive resource to understand engines, engine building and machining. On completing AERA’s Online Training & Certification program, I was not only able to understand engines but it also boosted my confidence in my various day to day activities at the shop level as well as it helped me in having meaningful technical conversations with my customers. The course is well paced and each chapter was quite informative along with diagrams, photos and examples. I will add the book, Automotive Machining & Engine Repair by Gary Lewis, to our shop library & it will definitely be helpful when I want to refer to a particular topic in the future. I also really like the Cylinder Head Machinist & Certified Trained Machinist patches that I got on completing the course. Thank you AERA!

Fred Thompson
In today’s market, training and education are the keys to success — and AERA provides the tools necessary for that success. The AERA Engine Machinist Online Training & Certification program is a comprehensive training module focused on the high standards set by AERA and the automotive industry. I have numerous years of machine shop experience and found the program very informative and useful. I would recommend the AERA training program to anyone!

Joseph Wahrer, Wapakoneta, OH
My friends call me ‘Mr. Motorcycle’ because motorcycles are my passion. I am presently employed at Allen Correctional Institution, a State Prison in Lima, Ohio, where I teach ‘Power Equipment Technology’. I have worked there for 23 years and have 35 eager students that truly keep me motivated with their genuine enthusiasm. I signed up for the AERA Engine Building and Machining Program to help keep me current in the Industry. I had no idea I was going to learn as much as I did. (AWESOME PROGRAM!) I also received wonderful support from AERA and the two certificates look like I graduated from Ohio State! Thanks for the great certificate program; AERA Rules!

Tom Schoffner, Chatsworth, CA
Aside from taking this course I really don’t have any formal training or conventional vo-tech classes under my belt. I pulled my first engine at 16 and started working at a carburetor shop at 17. (I’m 47 now.) By the time I was about 21, I realized I didn’t have the patience to work on vehicles, so I started working on the other side of the counter! In 1994, after years of managing auto parts stores, I went to work for Conlee Engine Rebuilders. I started working counter and after about 5 years, became G.M. In 2010, I began working for DNJ Engine Components, Inc. where I work Tech Support with a team of professionals dedicated to providing the most up to date and reliable engine rebuilding products on the market. The AERA online training course is definitely one that has, and will, assist me in giving my customers the answers they expect me to know when it comes down to why something is not working properly — whether it’s because of technician, machining, or a component problem.

Armando Guerrero, Sr., Surprise, AZ
In 1978, I began to study in the automotive field. As I began to work more and more on cars, I became a regular at the auto parts store (Kolomokee Auto Parts). This auto parts store also had a machine shop, so whenever I needed to rebuild an engine or heads, I had it done there. I developed a friendship with the owner, Mr. Robert Morrison, who eventually helped me get a job working in the machine shop. I worked there for about 14 years until they closed their doors. In 1994, I began to work for Car Quest auto parts where I am the machine shop manager. I registered at ASE where I was fully certified in December of 2005 by ASE in gasoline engine cylinder head specialist and in diesel cylinder head specialist. I did not want to stop there, so I decided to take another step and have been able to achieve my certificates in Cylinder Head and Engine Machinist through AERA.

Jim Connor, Warminster, PA
I have been teaching for over 15 years, 12 of them at the Automotive Training Center in Warminster, PA. I have an AAS in Automotive Technology and am certified as both an ASE Master Tech and Master Machinist. When ASE discontinued the machinist certification, I was glad to see AERA stepped up with this comprehensive and much more in-depth machinist certification program.

Chris Guda
I want to thank AERA for offering the online certification course for machinists. I was made aware of the course by fellow machinists where I work. It was revealed that ASE no longer offered a course for machinists and AERA now offered something similar in response. Curiously, I accessed the AERA website, read the related material and became enthuiastic about this offering. I immediately decided to enroll in the course. After receiving the textbook, I was initially overwhelmed at the magnitude, scope and depth of subjects covered. After this brief revelation though, I devoted myself to the study and accomplishment of each chapter with intense conviction. Every lunch hour at work as well as evenings at home and weekends, were spent studying and taking chapter tests. Though the endeavour was daunting at first, each successful completion of a chapter test brought me great satisfaction and I soon developed an insatiable drive to succeed at the next test. As a graduate of the School of Automotive Machinists, I am well familiar with the subjects of engine theory, machining and bluprinting. The AERA course for machinists has added even more to my personal knowledge where I can apply common practices and advanced knowledge at work on a daily basis to customers engines. In the duration of time throughout the course, the greatest satisfaction I gained was from sharing my knowledge with fellow machinists and car enthusiasts. Having the knowledge to express yourself because you understand the dynamics of a internal combustion engine and the necessary steps to repair and/or improve it’s performance has expanded my confidence and equipped me to contribute more. Overall, the AERA course for machinists is a good challenge. There is much I learned throughout the course and the pages of “Automotive Machining and Engine Repair” by Gary Lewis will add to my library of books and manuals to serve as reference and study material for years to come.

Clifford G. Meyer, MA, Professor/Department Chair, Automotive Technology, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
I finished both certifications and passed. It was well worth it and a great program. I really liked the individual chapters and that each section had a minimum time limit. Each of the sections were well developed and the curriculum really matched the Lewis text. I am working on a way to integrate the online section with the normal section of our 17 week semesters and one year machining classes (engine theory and engine blueprinting). I will know more later and contact you for your help and suggestions. Thanks again to AERA for continuing the certification process! It is very important to the automotive industry.

Jacob Wallace
I have been interested in engines since an early age. I always got to help my dad work on cars at the house and I remember when I was 12, I helped pull an engine out of a 1960s Rambler. My Dad worked in a machine shop for 15 years before moving up to North Carolina and I remember going to work with him in the summers and he would have me helping him clean and tear down cylinder heads with him. Shortly after my dad moving to North Carolina, I decided to leave my Retail Management Career to purse my passion in the automotive industry. The AERA Cylinder Head and Machinist course has been a great way for me to understand what my father was teaching me when I was younger and to further learn the machining process so that I can become a successful machinist and engine builder with the goal of getting into performance motors as I progress.

Tim LeVan, Bellefontaine, OH
I am an instructor at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) in Lima, Ohio, and GM-certified in engine repair, Workhorse Chassis certified, and Chrysler 5 star certified. I also hold certificates with Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Engine Repair, Manual Drive Train and Axles, Suspension and Steering, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Heating and Air Conditioning, Engine Performance and Medium/Heavy Truck Technician certifications in Suspension and Steering and Electrical/Electronic Systems. As an instructor of Automotive Engine Diagnosis and Repair at the University of Northwestern Ohio, I found the material covered in the AERA engine repair and machining course to be very informative. As a former automotive technician and now an instructor, I never really had any experience with engine machining. I knew what procedures needed to be done but didn’t really understand how it was accomplished. This course has helped me better understand the machining procedures and feel more confident in my teaching abilities.

Stephen Smith, Sierra College, Automotive Technology, Department Chairman
I teach automotive technology classes at Sierra College in Rocklin, California. Of all the various automotive courses which I teach, I especially enjoy the engine reconditioning classes. As the only school in our area to offer engine machining, we find that our classes fill quickly. I appreciated the AERA Certification program because not only is it a test which leads to a certificate verifying the participants knowledge, it is a self-paced learning program that even people like myself who have been doing this kind of work for most of their lives will learn something new and useful.

Ryan Grisch, Chicago, IL
I recently graduated from Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in September and am now currently training with Cummins in their Heavy Duty Engines program, as well as their Power Generation program. I’ve learned an incredible amount in school and was able to expand my knowledge even further with the AERA program. I’ve recommended it to fellow classmates and friends to help them add to their engine expertise. I live in Chicago and plan to work on Heavy Duty power generator assemblies. If you love engine work then this program is definitely built for you.

Joe Foellmer, Johnsburg, IL
I have been an engine rebuilder and machinist at Advance Engine Rebuilders in Wheeling, IL for 24 years. I am currently working independently for local machine shops performing all facets of engine repair and assembly. I have been an instructor at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL in their ATA program focusing on engines for 20 years. In addition, I am an instructior at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL teaching engine repair. I also did a 6-year stint on Bob Bode’s NHRA top fuel funny car flying around the country doing bottom end, cylinder heads and engine assembly on the race car on race weekends. The AERA online class covers a lot of the basic machining that is needed in the engine rebuilder field. It covers all facets of the engine and its components.

Jon Araujo
I live in the central Florida area and machinist training programs are obsolete. I now have so much more understanding of this trade which opens a door for me. Thank you, AERA!

Jesse Updike
When I was a kid, I loved helping my father build and tune his race cars. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be professionally involved with engines. As an experienced certified automotive technician, understanding and performing engine diagnosis/repair is an essential skill. The AERA Engine Machining Online Training and Certification program has refined my technical knowledge and opened doors to my goal of becoming a professional engine builder!

Danny Paddock
I am an Automotive Instructor at Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minnesota. My passion for cars started as a young kid helping my grandfather fix cars in his driveway. After high school, I attended Northwest Technical College which gave me the skills needed to get a position at a local dealer. After working my way up through the rates at the dealership, I accepted a teaching position here at NTC. As a program, we are trying to give the students an interest into the high-performance and race industry, as well as the auto repair industry. The AERA engine courses were a great way to gain helpful knowledge as we work toward that goal. The courses helped me as I add a new set of skills to my career in the automotive industry.

Jordan Kelly
I am a bartender, lifeguard, and business student. Classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and boats have always been my passion since I was a kid. I would like to use my business degree and AERA certification to one day open a mechanic shop.