Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) - Main Campus

"When I started the automotive program I was a navy wife and mother of three girls. It was my dream that I put aside to raise my family to work on cars. I have never received such support from a school and it's staff. The instructors did a wonderful job teaching how to be a technician and what to expect from a shop environment. They always pushed me not give up while I worked during the day as a technician and schooled at night, hands on, on becoming an excellent technician. They knew I was exhausted. Because of them I am confident and my career is going extremely well. And yes, they are the reason I landed my first job with no experience in a dealership. Should you choose be a part or enroll your child to be a part, I recommend going in with all the drive an curiosity in the world and they will be more than willing and excited to fill your cup with the knowledge needed to gain the most success out of your career. I feel like I have an extended family in ATI. Thank you from the graduate that you all made sure was dressed and ready to have the honor of walking across the stage for graduation rather than being a cheerleader for new found brothers I completed the program with. I am blessed and you all helped! ☺️"

"I’d like to start off by saying to cut it short go to tidewater tech or join a union (iron workers, pipe fitters, boilermakers, or through Newport News shipyard) but I’ll explain. There is virtually no information on this school and it’s a shame how parents and non knowledgeable students fall into the allusion this school is high quality. I’m in the welding program and as time goes on I get more knowledgeable and way more disappointed. To start off the quality of teachers is low many of them Cannot preform better than the students in certain instances, well that being said the ratio of students is around 15:1 while it sounds okay while learning hands on in a 4 hour session they’re is virtually no time for the teacher to come around and help you out, most of the time you’ll end up learning more from YouTube than your teacher. The program runs your around forty-nine thousand dollars (49,000.00$)(with housing) and the school does not offer many scholarships. Our equipment is not maintained and there are days we’re we can’t weld because of broken equipment. One of the big things that enticed me was the AWS certification program, well the school does have it but unfortunately most schools do so it’s pointless to come to this school on that alone. Our band saws what you will be using to cut the metal are in bad condition and the best one is regularly out of service, the school offers pipe but does not offer a pipe beveler meaning you have to hand bevel (not in the school curriculum) meaning you will spend hours prepping instead of welding. Students have tried to get our voices heard but the teachers and management above them always dismiss us. Lastly the school charges you a tool fee unfortunately you will be buying most of your tools the school barely has equipment to start with but the starter package they give new students is embarrassing. I would not recommend this school to anybody and would actually advise to stay clear do your research look at the quality of the school (equipment, metals offered, starter pack and tools, ask current students how they feel about the program) I hope all you guys succeed welding is amazing but this school is terrible please stay clear."

"My son graduated a year early from high school and decided he wanted to enter into a welding program. We did all research in the world before deciding on enrolling him in ATI. Everything looked on the outside as if this was going to be the right decision. Just a few weeks into the program 2 of the 3 instructors quit on the same day and they were apparently the best instructors they had. My son was not getting any proper instruction and the school absolutely failed him in every way. I contacted the vice president multiple times to see what they were going to do to reconcile the situation but he was completely unprofessional and did nothing. This place is absolutely pathetic! We lost thousands of dollars in this situation but I had no choice but to take him out of there and enroll him in Tidewater Tech school. They have 20 instructors there and everyone has been amazing and extremely knowledgeable and supportive! They also have their own AWS certification on site. They are also Tens of thousands of dollars cheaper and you get way more for your money! Do yourself a favor and go to Tidewater Tech. You will absolutely be thankful you did."

"To start off. I am attending ATI to get my CDL class A license. You would think that this school is the worst do to all these one star reviews. All i can say is that my experience at ATI has been the best. They have an awesome staff. Kevin and Mrs. Tammy processed my enroll quickly and with no issues. The school director was very Respectfully and professional when he well comed our class. Mrs Lyn was our instructor for the first three weeks. She made the class fun, educational, and I admire her drive at her age. BZ Lyn. For the next three weeks we had Mr Pat and Mr Rashawn as our instructors. They gave us the best techniques to use on the road. Their experience and knowledge was excellent. In my opinion I would recommend ATI to any. BZ ATI."

"I had the pleasure of touring the campus and meeting the instructors over the weekend. What a great team! As a repair shop owner it's very important to me that good training programs are available and ATI is that program! What stood out to me the most were the team members. Knowledgeable, passionate, and extremely professional. What a great place to open the door for a career!"