The Automotive Technology
program is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Students are assessed on competencies aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Education Vocational Technical Education Frameworks – Transportation Cluster – Automotive Technology and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The NATEF curriculum prepares students to meet national automotive industry standards and requires students to become proficient in a multitude of automotive procedures and diagnostic techniques. Students completing the Automotive Technology program will be able to demonstrate an understanding of careers within the automotive field, shop safety, automotive systems, related math applications for automotive technicians, automotive measurements, diagnostic and testing procedures, troubleshooting, and problem-solving. Students’ assignments and projects will be in various forms of communication including written and oral presentations. Assignments and projects will require students to draw upon their academic skills in language arts, science, mathematics, and computer applications. It is recommended that students wanting to enter this program have a strong foundation in these academic skills.
Students in the Automotive Technology program have the opportunity to prepare for technician certification by the nationally recognized ASE (Automotive Service Excellence). In order to become ASE certified the candidate must provide proof of two years of relevant work experience. Students who successfully complete the Automotive Technology program earn one year of credit toward this endeavor. Students in their senior year will be tested in the fall and the spring through the ASE Student Certification process. This is the first step in building a career as a service professional in the automotive industry. When completing career-entry studies in automotive technology these tests can provide the student with their first industry-recognized certification through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. This certificate in each area passed is good for two years. The student will also receive a shirt patch for each area passed.
Designed to emulate a typical automotive shop with customer contact, equipment and tools, and repair techniques and procedures, students are prepared for employment within the automotive workforce, requiring good attendance, an exemplary work ethic, professional appearance, and outstanding interpersonal and communication skills for “All Aspects of the Industry”. Students participate in class discussions, independent projects, the Skills USA Professional Development Program, job shadowing, exposure to various local shops, and field trips. Equal emphasis is placed on related automotive theory class and in shop hands-on time.
Course Objectives:
Using industry standards, students will learn the following competencies:
- Integrate academics through project-based learning
- Recognize career pathway opportunities
- Interact safely in a shop environment
- Incorporate the use of industry standard technology and software
- Read, understand, and communicate in the language of the field
- Organize and research information
- Develop a professional appearance, exemplary work ethic and superior communication skills
- Develop customer relations to determine customers’ needs and process work orders
Use technology to seek diagnostic techniques and repair procedures, parts information, and labor rates
Certifications/Licenses:
- ALLDATA Automotive Information Specialist certificate
- ASE Student certifications: Automotive Service Technology, Automatic Transmission, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic, Engine Repair, Engine Performance, Heating/Air Conditioning, Manual Drive Train/Axle, Maintenance & Light Repair, and Steering & Suspension
- Advanced Auto Parts Identification
- Lift It Right Certificate
- SP2 certificate trainings: Automotive Service Safety, Automotive Pollution Prevention, Land That Job: Interview Skills for Automotive Fields, and Ethics in the Automotive Industry. Certificates are good for one year and the student will recertify every year in the program.
- Valvoline Ignition Program certificates: Automotive Fluids 101, Chemicals 101, Motor Oil 101
- BLS CPR w/AED,
- Heartsaver First Aid
- OSHA 10 Hour General Industry Certification
Looking toward the future:
The automotive field is an ongoing learning occupation as those in the field must continually adapt to changing technology and techniques as vehicle components and systems become increasingly sophisticated. Formal automotive technician training is the best preparation for these challenging technology-based jobs. The job market should be very good for automotive service technicians and mechanics with diagnostic and problem-solving skills, knowledge of electronics and mathematics, and mechanical aptitude.
Students successfully completing the Automotive Technology program have the option of securing gainful employment, continuing formal studies at the post-secondary level, or pursuing a combination of both.
Post-Secondary Options:
| Massachusetts Bay Community College: Toyota T-TEN Program BMW STEP Program Chrysler CAP Program GM ASEP Program | Benjamin Franklin Institute of Tech Lincoln Technical Institute Mount Wachusett Community College Nashua Community College – Honda/Acura PACT Program | New England Institute of Technology Ohio Technical College Porter and Chester Universal Technical Institute University of Northwestern Ohio – UNDH |
Career Opportunities:
Entry level Jobs – High School Diploma – On-the-Job Training/Apprenticeship
| Aircraft Technician Automotive Technician Brake Specialist Car Lot Attendant | Diesel Engine Technician Fleet Technician Parts Counterperson Service Writer | Small Engine Repair Technician Towing/Road Service Vehicle Detailer Vehicle Sales Associate |
Skilled Jobs – Technical/Community College/ Associates Degree or Certificate
| Aircraft Maintenance Technician Alternate Fuel Technician Auto Body Technician Automotive Electronics Technician Automotive Master Technician | Collision Repair Estimator Diagnostic Technician Diesel Engine Technician Heavy Equipment Technician Manufacturer Representative | Marine Technician Motorcycle Technician Parts Manager Research & Design Technician Service Manager |
Professional Careers – BS / MS Degree/Graduate Studies
| Automotive Engineer Business Owner Dealership General Manager | Insurance Underwriter Manufacturing Engineer Mechanical Engineer | Production Engineer Research & Design Engineer Sales/Leasing Manager |
Instructors
 Jim Charbonnet Exploratory & 1st (Shop) Ext. 1107 (Classroom) Ext. 1108 |  Todd Freitag 2nd & 3rd year (Shop) Ext. 1107 (Classroom) Ext. 1108 |
 Tyler Chrystal Exploratory & 1st (Shop) Ext. 1107 (Classroom) Ext. 1108 |