01
WORK
Get hired and begin working full-time at Rusty Eck Ford.
myecktech
Eck Auto Group + Butler Community College
GET PAID TO LEARN CARS.
BUILD A CAREER WHILE YOU DO IT.
Eck Tech combines a real full-time job at Rusty Eck Ford, college coursework through Butler Community College, and hands-on automotive training with Ford Master Technicians.
State-Approved Registered Apprenticeship Program • Automotive Education for the Real World
$15/HR
Starting pay listed in the current Eck Tech brochure
FULL-TIME
Employment + benefits
COLLEGE DEGREE
Automotive Technology
REAL EXPERIENCE
From day one
Start Now
YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL GRADUATION TO START YOUR CAREER.
Eck Tech lets you work, learn, earn, and build real automotive experience while you're working toward your degree.
For students who learn best by doing, Eck Tech offers a different path: one that puts you inside a real dealership service department with experienced technicians while you build college credit and career skills.
The Program
WHAT IS ECK TECH?
Eck Tech College is a state-approved Registered Apprenticeship program that combines paid, full-time employment at Rusty Eck Ford, college coursework through Butler Community College, and real-world training with Ford Master Technicians.
02
LEARN
Complete college coursework through Butler Community College.
03
TRAIN
Build real automotive skills alongside Ford Master Technicians.
Simple Path
FOUR STEPS.
ONE CAREER PATH.
01
APPLY
Apply to Eck Tech College.
02
GET HIRED
Interview and get hired at Rusty Eck Ford.
03
WORK + LEARN
Begin your paid apprenticeship and classes.
04
GRADUATE
Finish with a college degree and real industry experience.
Modern Automotive Careers
LIKE CARS?
LIKE FIGURING OUT HOW THINGS WORK?
You may already think like a technician.
Modern automotive technicians solve problems with their hands, tools, computers, diagnostic equipment, and experience.
THE CAR HAS CHANGED.
SO HAS THE PERSON WHO FIXES IT.
Earn While You Learn
YES. YOU ACTUALLY GET PAID.
$15/HR
Starting pay listed in the current Eck Tech brochure. Apprentices earn a paycheck and benefits beginning day one.
Traditional Sequence
THE OLD WAY
- Go to school
- Graduate
- Find a job
- Start gaining experience
Eck Tech
THE ECK TECH WAY
- Get hired
- Get paid
- Go to school
- Gain real experience
- Earn your degree
- Keep building your career
Butler Community College
NOT JUST TRAINING.
A COLLEGE DEGREE.
Eck Tech students work toward an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from Butler Community College while receiving on-the-job automotive training.
That means you're not choosing between college and real-world experience. Eck Tech brings both into the same career path.
College Coursework
Paid Employment
Hands-On Training
Industry Experience
Career Acceleration
THIS ISN'T JUST A JOB.
IT'S THE START OF A CAREER.
The Eck Tech program identifies Journeyman Technician as a program outcome and states that graduates are halfway toward Ford Master Technician certification.
START
Eck Tech Apprentice
GRADUATE
Eck Tech Graduate
CAREER
Journeyman Technician
ADVANCE
Ford Master Technician
?
Meet Your Instructor
LEARN FROM SOMEONE WHO'S DONE THE JOB.
WAYNE PARRIS
Ford Master Technician • Military Veteran • 30+ Years Automotive Experience
Wayne brings decades of automotive experience, technical knowledge, attention to detail, and hands-on instruction into the Eck Tech program.
Could This Be You?
YOU MIGHT FIT RIGHT IN IF...
YOU LEARN BY DOING
You'd rather get your hands on something than only read about it.
YOU LIKE CARS
You want to understand how vehicles work and how to fix problems.
YOU LIKE SOLVING PROBLEMS
You enjoy figuring out why something isn't working.
YOU WANT A CAREER
You want a path you can build on, not just another job.
Real Student Stories
SEE WHAT THE PATH LOOKS LIKE FROM SOMEONE LIVING IT.
Hear directly from an Eck Tech student or graduate about why they joined, what they've learned, and where the program is taking them.
?
Parents & Families
THIS IS MORE THAN "WORKING ON CARS."
Eck Tech combines paid employment, benefits, college education, structured hands-on training, and real industry experience into one automotive career path.
If you're helping a young adult compare college, trade school, and starting work, Eck Tech provides another option: school + work + experience at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONS? GOOD.
Here's what the current Eck Tech program materials tell us.
What is Eck Tech College?
Eck Tech College is a state-approved Registered Apprenticeship program that combines paid, full-time employment at Rusty Eck Ford, college coursework through Butler Community College, and real-world training with Ford Master Technicians.
Is Eck Tech a paid automotive apprenticeship?
Yes. The current Eck Tech brochure states that the program includes paid, full-time employment at Rusty Eck Ford and that participants begin earning a paycheck and benefits from day one.
How much do Eck Tech apprentices earn?
The current Eck Tech brochure lists starting pay at $15 per hour. Current compensation should be confirmed when applying.
What college partners with Eck Tech?
Butler Community College provides the college coursework connected with the Eck Tech program.
What degree can I earn?
The current program materials state that participants can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology from Butler Community College.
How long does Eck Tech take?
The current Eck Tech brochure describes the opportunity as earning a college degree and gaining real industry experience in two years or less.
Who teaches Eck Tech students?
Eck Tech includes real-world training with Ford Master Technicians. The program brochure features instructor Wayne Parris, a Ford Master Technician, military veteran, and automotive professional with more than 30 years of experience.
What happens after Eck Tech?
The current Eck Tech brochure identifies Journeyman Technician as a program outcome and states that after completing Eck Tech College, participants are halfway toward Ford Master Technician certification.
Do I need automotive experience before applying?
The current Eck Tech brochure does not state whether previous automotive experience is required. Contact Eck Tech for current eligibility requirements.
What is the minimum age to apply?
The current Eck Tech brochure does not state a minimum age. Contact Eck Tech for current eligibility requirements.
Do I need my own tools or a driver's license?
Tool and driver's license requirements are not listed in the current Eck Tech brochure. Contact Eck Tech for current program requirements.
Your Future Will Thank You
GET PAID.
GET TRAINED.
GET YOUR DEGREE.
BUILD YOUR CAREER.
Ready to see if Eck Tech is the right path for you?
Program Information
ECK TECH AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP
Eck Tech College is an automotive technician Registered Apprenticeship program associated with Eck Auto Group, Rusty Eck Ford, and Butler Community College. The program combines paid full-time employment, college coursework, and real-world automotive training with Ford Master Technicians. The current Eck Tech program materials describe the opportunity as a path to an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology while gaining real industry experience.