Mission Statement
The mission of the Automotive Technology program is to provide classroom instruction and hands-on training in the eight Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) subject areas, thus preparing students to pass the nationally recognized ASE certification exams and obtain employment as automotive technicians.
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Work Environment
Most automotive service technicians worked a standard 40-hour week; 24 percent worked longer hours. Some may work evenings and weekends to satisfy customer service needs. Generally, service technicians work indoors in well-ventilated and well-lighted repair shops. However, some shops are drafty and noisy. Although many problems can be fixed with simple computerized adjustments, technicians frequently work with dirty and greasy parts and in awkward positions. They often lift heavy parts and tools. As a result, minor workplace injuries are not uncommon, but technicians usually can avoid serious accidents if safe practices are observed.
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Nature of the Work
Automotive service technicians inspect, maintain, and repair automobiles and light trucks that run on gasoline, electricity, or alternative fuels such as ethanol. They perform basic care maintenance, diagnose problems, and plan and execute vehicle repairs. The responsibilities of automotive service technicians and mechanics have evolved from simple mechanical repairs to high-level technology-related work. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers regulate vehicles and their performance while on the road. This increasing sophistication of automobiles requires workers to use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools. Technicians must have a broad knowledge of how vehicles' complex components work and interact. They also must be able to work with electronic diagnostic equipment and digital manuals and reference materials.
To locate problems, technicians use a diagnostic approach. They first test to see whether components and systems are secure and working properly. They then isolate the components or systems that might be the cause of the problems. Service technicians use a variety of tools in their work. They use pneumatic wrenches and other power tools to remove bolts quickly, machine tools like lathes and grinding machines to rebuild brakes, welding and flame-cutting equipment to remove and repair exhaust systems, and jacks and hoists to lift cars and engines. They also use screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches and other common hand tools to work on small parts and in hard-to-reach places. Technicians usually provide their own hand tools, and many experienced workers have thousands of dollars invested in them. Employers furnish expensive power tools, engine analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment.
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Employment
Automotive service technicians and mechanics held about 763,700 jobs nationally in 2008. Automotive repair and maintenance shops and automobile dealers employed the majority of these workers, with 31 percent working in shops and 28 percent employed by dealers. In addition, automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores employed 7 percent of automotive service technicians. Others worked in gasoline stations; automotive equipment rental and leasing companies; federal, state, and local governments; and other organizations. About 16 percent of service technicians were self-employed, compared with 7 percent of all installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.
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Earnings
Median hourly wages nationally of automotive service technicians and mechanics, including commission, were $16.88 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.44 and $22.64 per hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.56, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $28.71 per hour. Many experienced technicians employed by automobile dealers and independent repair shops receive a commission related to the labor cost charged to the customer. Under this system, weekly earnings depend on the amount of work completed. Employers frequently guarantee commissioned technicians a minimum weekly salary. Some employers offer health and retirement benefits, but such compensation packages are not universal and can vary widely.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the diploma program in Automotive Fundamentals will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify and identify customer complaints with engine, electrical, brake, and drivetrain systems
- Demonstrate how the components of different systems function
- Diagnose failure in engine, electrical, brake, and drivetrain systems
- Repair or replace faulty components of automotive systems
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Automotive Climate Control Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify customer complaints with climate control systems
- Identify climate control components
- Diagnose and repair climate control malfunctions
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Automotive Chassis Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify customer complaints related to steering, suspension, and brakes
- Identify individual components
- Diagnose and repair components on the automotive chassis
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Automotive Electrical/Electronic Systems Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify customer complaints with electrical systems
- Identify electrical components
- Diagnose and repair electrical malfunctions
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Automotive Engine Performance Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify customer complaints with engine performance systems
- Identify engine performance components in the fuel, ignition, and emission systems
- Diagnose and repair engine performance malfunctions
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Automotive Engine Repair Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify customer complaints with engine-related systems
- Identify engine components
- Diagnose and repair engine malfunctions
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
Graduates of the technical certificate in Automotive Transmission/Transaxle Technician will be able to complete the following tasks:
- Demonstrate the ability to verify customer complaints with automotive transmission systems
- Identify drive train components
- Diagnose and repair drive train malfunctions
- Demonstrate the personal and professional ethics and interpersonal skills that are expected in the workplace
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Essential Functions
The purpose of the essential functions list is to allow prospective students who are considering a career to be informed of the physical, emotional, and psychological demands related to training and employment in a field of study. These lists are provided to allow prospective students to make informed career choices by providing them with a summary of the physical abilities and personality traits that are generally required for the successful completion of a curriculum and result in employment in their field of study after graduation.
For students to be successful in the Automotive Technology programs, they must be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to Use Senses
- Visual: Acuity to identify numbers on tools, read fine print on equipment, or read service manuals
- Hearing: Ability to hear sounds and emergency signals (with auditory aids or full-time interpreter for the hearing impaired) and to understand a normal speaking voice without direct access to the speaker's face
- Tactile: Ability to feel heat/cold or pain and evaluate the possible danger of extreme temperatures
- Motor Ability
- Physical ability to walk on concrete and stand for long periods of time; to lift, move, and transfer equipment of at least 50 pounds; and to maneuver in limited space
- Ability to work while in hot/humid and/or cold conditions
- Ability to have manual dexterity to efficiently and safely use equipment, power tools and hand tools, and other small and large equipment while wearing essential safety glasses and/or gloves and/or other necessary required safety gear
- Ability to Understand Need for a Safe Work Environment
- Practical awareness of potential dangers while working with automobiles and automotive equipment
- Ability to wear necessary safety gear, i.e. safety glasses, gloves, head covering, etc.
- Ability to maintain safe environment at all times
- Ability to Communicate
- Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms to class partners and/or team and to instructor
- Ability to write and perform routine mathematical calculations clearly and correctly
- Basic proficiency in technology (computers and peripheral components) as the automotive industry requires
- Ability to Problem Solve
- Intellectual and conceptual ability for measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, and prioritizing daily functions in today's automotive shop
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency without jeopardizing safety
- Ability to react and adjust as instructed by the instructor(s) during lab or shop instruction or based on customer's needs
- Ability to Maintain Emotional Stability
- Ability to function safely under stress in today's workplace and adapt to changing staff and client/customer situations
- Ability to maintain composure and professionalism at all times in labs and shop/work environment
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Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses each semester (unless otherwise noted):
- Tuition ($75 per credit hour)
- Registration fee ($39)
- Student activity fees ($30)
- Accident insurance fee ($6)
- Instructional and technology supply fee ($200)
- Textbooks (Approximately $141.25 for the two textbooks used in the diploma program and the technical certificate programs)
- Tools (Approximately $1,000 for all tools, which are used in the diploma program and the technical certificate programs)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
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Gainful Employment
Information on graduation rates, job placement rates, median loan debt incurred by students and other gainful employment information is available on the college website.
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Admission Requirements
Applicants must submit the following information to the Admissions Office:
- Completed and signed application for admission and a $20 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school or GED transcripts and/or official college transcripts from all colleges attended in the past (see General Admission Requirements)
- Valid COMPASS, ASSET, SAT, or ACT test scores (see COMPASS and ASSET Placement Tests)
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Job Outlook
Employment of automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to increase by 5 percent nationally between 2008 and 2018. Continued growth in the number of vehicles in use in the United States will lead to new jobs for workers performing basic car maintenance and repair.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition (http://www.bls.gov/oco/)
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