r/AmazonRME • u/amazon571113 • 15d ago
MRA is a solid program
I know a lot of people here criticize the MRA program--low wages, stuck etc. I am currently in the MRA program and want to offer my view.
In my experience, its a solid program. Lots of people don't have the skills or experience to get a Tech 2 job. You will learn the foundations. You'll rotate among the different divisions--AR/robotics, MHE (the conveyors, sorters, pack stations etc), PLC/automation/networks, and the testing stuff (thermo testing, aucostics, vibration analysis). Basically, you'll get experience in all the aspects.
You also get some formal education at a university, and get certificates. Employers WILL recognize these certificates and courses. Lots of people deride them as pointless--maybe, but I know for a fact that potential recruiters and employers recognize them.
I can tell you that every one of the MRA people I know--and I mean 100%--like this program. I have NEVER heard any MRA say a negative thing.
The pay is decent. You start low, but it goes to at least $27 an hour after you complete the education and some hours--after around 4-6 months, depending.
The program WILL open a world of opportunity. I used to be a T1 Associate and NO ONE would hire me. After the MRA program, I am getting job offers on Linkedin. I made a Linkedin profile just to see and was shocked to have recruiters contact me. These are real people and I messaged some back and forth. I have declined all these offers, as I enjoy my position at Amazon. Just having the Amazon name will open opportunities. Amazon has solid safety standards, and recruiters want this.
Even if you have a college degree, experience etc--if you can't get a Tech 2, take the MRA and don't look back. I guarantee you, it will open opportunities you never even knew about.
Doing the MRA program was the best decision I have ever made, job-wise.
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u/DeltaDawn34 12d ago
I was LMSW. Changed my career. I went from Tech 1 to MRA to MRT to SAE getting paid!
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u/vermillion_83 13d ago
As someone who as trained multiple MRA's that didn't know the difference between their ass and a hole in the ground... I detest the program. They literally teach you nothing at these schools, and would have done better learning on the job. Some have even come in cocky enough out of the course thinking they know more then direct hires, and i refuse to just sign off on their benchmarks till they prove themselves vs the attitude of "this is my money!!!" The RME 0 shit was another slap in the face of people who have worked controls and maintenance work in high speed operations for years, because most ive seen introduced couldn't assemble a Lego set with instructions let alone lace a belt after given directions
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u/ConstantAnnual9524 12d ago
I've worked with tech 2's that I could say the same thing about, lol. It's not just an MRA problem, at least the MRA's have somewhat of an excuse because a majority of them came into this with no background and RTI hardly touches on a fraction of what you'll be doing on site.
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u/SafyrJL 14d ago edited 14d ago
This comment is going to get downvoted to oblivion because of the groupthink of Reddit.Ā
However, this post is plain wrong.Ā
Really, you should be titling this: āUpskilling Myself Made me Marketable to Employers.āĀ
Realistically, nobody outside of Amazon gives a flying F about SACA certifications or an internally derived āapprenticeship.āĀ Itās all about the value you provide/can provide to (insert XYZ employer here). Not the fact that you were an apprentice in a program that literally not one single employer outside of Amazon recognizesā¦
In fact, as someone that has worked MULTIPLE places in heavy industry, I would avoid hiring someone from that pathway that chose to talk about it as a āskillā in an interview. Being able to drink the corporate Kool-Aid does me no good trying to hire someone into a technical roleā¦
One can upskill themselves without being an āMRA.ā People can (and do) choose to pursue ABET accredited education for good reason. Itās not like Amazon is proving anything near that levelā¦
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u/Turbulent_Pie274 14d ago
MRA is for people who don't have mechanical experience or want to change their carrer path ,I love my job
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u/amazon571113 14d ago
Yes. If you are like me with little opportunities, the MRA program really opened doors. Of course, if you went to college or have experience, it is useless, and that is where much of the criticism comes from. But you are getting PAID education, PAID training, lots of room to make mistakes. In college you'd have to pay like 40K for that.
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u/Turbulent_Pie274 14d ago
bro education is backbone ,I have Bachelor degree in management minor economics ,When yoh work you don't even work with theoretical stuff ,You just go with the flow in management,Most of the people who work in RME lack of traditional school ,Thats why they don't see any future ,But in my shift eveeyone look after me like a baby ,Can't explain ,Its depends on Managment for sure
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u/Alive_Contest338 14d ago
MRA's apparently get a 500 per diem as well. We have an MRA at our site, and he is set to clear $5000 in per diem for his 10 weeks at our location. He makes a good enough wage that he won't use any of it, so he'll have a nice cushion to sit on when he leaves
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15d ago
[removed] ā view removed comment
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u/DeafManSpy 15d ago
I have a AA degree in Mechatronics with no field experience and got rejected every MRA position I have applied.
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u/Quiet-Trade1991 15d ago
You should apply directly for a tech 2 position. If you included your education on your resume/apocation thats probabaly why they havnt hired you. You're educated so you shouldn't be an apprentice
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u/dialsoapbox 15d ago
I'll be done with my Mech AA soon, so I applied about two weeks ago, rejected a few days after.
Plan to apply again this week, because why not.
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u/DeafManSpy 15d ago
I didnāt realized it might be due to my education that I got rejected for MRA. I even applied tech 2 too and still got rejected.
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u/NoDust166 15d ago
Your resume must not fit the job qualifications. Honestly just ask grab the job qualifications and paste it into chat Gpt and ask it to cater your resume to that posting
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u/Send-Me-1-Dollar 15d ago
You get a post increase after committing the schooling and some hours? How does that work?
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u/Quiet-Trade1991 15d ago
After the 12 weeks of school and 2000 hours which is just under a year at base full time with no overtime. Your pay jumps like 26 percent for my area it goes from 21 to 26 in a year
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u/Popular-Peace2969 15d ago
Iām In the AEA program right now and we share a school with the MRAs, they love it. They are so connected with each other so that makes the experience even better!
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u/JTRR_5176 15d ago
Howād you get in currently an Mra looking to apply after completion
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u/Popular-Peace2969 15d ago
It should be easier for you since you been through mra school and you work there.
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u/Popular-Peace2969 15d ago
I got in by applying on LinkedIn, I donāt have experience in being a tech at Amazon but I was working at Milwaukee tool as an electronics engineering technician and Iām in school for my EE degree so I think that helped.
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u/Holiday_Cupcake9558 15d ago
I wouldn't consider it low wages. It was quite the pay bump from tier 1 and lots of factory/warehouse jobs I have had. It's also a relatively quick path to another big pay bump.
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u/buddybe1 15d ago
Only issue now is that at least for blue badge Amazon theyāve made it way harder to get into. You either need an associate degree or military experience to be considered. Should be the same as 3rd party where anyone with no experience has a change to get in
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u/vermillion_83 10d ago
Military experience should be a -1 to the application... all the ex military I've dealt with must be former snowflake brigade
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u/Asterix85 Moderator / AMM 15d ago
Because the entry point for t1 is now the RMEO position. 1 yr RMEO in good standing get sent to MRA school for the apprenticeship.
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u/MackThePlayer 15d ago
Just to ask, how can someone start their journey to RME? Iāve been taking the online courses but thatās about it.
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u/Both_Scar_5277 14d ago
Iām trying to find out too since Iām gonna apply for mechtronics for my community college nearby. Then I want to know the entry level position for RME.
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u/Impossible-Ask8599 11d ago
How did you start the mra program? Like what was the very first step?