20k is a lot of cash just to make 10 bucks an hour. I have hired 21 techs in the last 4 years that either went to UTI or WyoTech for automotive. I started my guys at 15/hr for 6 to 9 months before going on the line. Once on the line, their pay went to 19/hr flat rate. Of course, this was a Mercedes store. Point is, if I was going to pay 20k for tech school, I would go were the money is. 20k worth of student loans, then having to buy tools makes mechanic/technician one of the most expensive trades there is to get into. My tool box alone cost over 10k-empty! I think the manufacturers should step up and subsidize the training for their brand.