Hot Rod Institute (Sturgis: home, find a job, income)

[2013sunny]

Hi everyone, I would like to hear from anyone who has attended (or knows someone) the Hot Rod Institute and could share their opinion of the experience there. Was it time/money well spent and were you able to find employment in the Black Hills area after completing the program? Is there currently demand for custom hot rod and motorcycle mechanics in the area, or are most positions already filled by previous graduates?
As for my background, my husband and I are planning our last move to the RC area as a place to eventually retire. My husband has the interest and the aptitude to attend the Hot Rod Institue but I'm concerned that we would have to move to another area to find employment after completing training. Our top priority is to settle permanently in RC, so we would need to have a good understaning of what the local employment opportunities are like in custom mechanics.
Any thoughts are appreciated!

[SD4020]

Not much of a demand for hot rob builders, however auto body knowledge, employment in a body shop is available. A good mechanic can also find a job with ease.

Yes, the learning and skill set could land a decent job. The body man we use always seems to have a project in his shop.

[uncleharley]

I would have to second the above. The two dealerships that I have dealt with in Rapid are very busy and I am pretty sure a mechanic or body man with the tools and some experiance can get a job at ease. If I wanteds to build hotrods, I would do it as a hobby, not as a way to earn a living.

uh

[2013sunny]

Thanks for the above replies. My husband was also thinking of just taking the one custom motorcycle class there. Maybe working part-time in a bike shop or independantly to supplement retirement income. Do you think there is a lot of demand for custom bike work with Sturgis and the rally? Would most of that kind of business just be from out of town and taking the work back home with them?

[SD4020]

The rally takes about 2 weeks. There is residual bike traffic. Again, mechanical ability is helpful. You could have a measure of success.

[uncleharley]

The ralley could be a source of business if your hubby wants to show off some work that he has done and take orders for future work.

uh

[SD4020]

There's Daytona and Laconia New Hampshire

[2013sunny]

That's a good point Uncleharley!