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About The Program

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Career Education Automotive warehouse

 


Program Purpose:  Students who participate in the automotive program will explore the technology that constitutes the modern automobile. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the service and repair techniques and learn the latest technology required to maintain a vehicle to industry standards.

Program Description:  The Automotive Career Education program is a Master Certified Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) program. This certification ensures the student will receive training in automotive repair that meets industry standards. Upon completion of the program a student will be prepared for an entry-level position in the automotive industry.


What is Automotive Technology?

If you enjoy working with cars, the Automotive Career Education program is the perfect program for you. By working towards an Associate in Science degree or certificate, you are working towards becoming a highly skilled professional. The Automotive Career Education program educates students about the various aspects of automotive technology while preparing them for a career in the automotive industry.

The Automotive Career Education program at Ventura College provides students with technologically current training that will enable them to enter the automotive industry at the entry level. The program also provides updated training for currently-employed automotive technicians. Partnerships with industry are an important aspect of the program’s success. The program has worked with Ford Motor Company, Daimler/Chrysler, AC Delco, ATG, Automotive Training Group and Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.. Ventura College is currently working with Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. providing entry level technicians to the area Toyota Dealerships through the Toyota Technical Education Network program. The Automotive Career Education program at Ventura College has been evaluated by the National Automotive Technical Education Foundation (NATEF) and had been certified in all eight ASE automotive repair categories. The college is also certified by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to teach all BAR related courses.

Career Opportunities:

Skilled automotive technicians are always in demand. There is now a large and growing shortage of automotive technicians. There are over 500 automotive repair facilities in the Ventura/Oxnard area, with predictions by the California Employment Development Department indicating that 100 new technicians per year are needed in Ventura County. There are many potential careers for automotive technicians, and here are just a few:

  • Automotive electrician
  • Auto parts salesperson
  • Automotive air conditioning technician
  • Brake & front-end technician
  • Computerized engine control specialist
  • Engine mechanist
  • General repair technician
  • High performance & racing specialist
  • Licensed smog technician
  • Service adviser/manager
  • Technical instructor
  • Technical sales representative
  • Transmission technician

Graduating automotive students have been placed in dealerships and independent repair shops from the San Fernando Valley to San Luis Obispo. For information about wages and earnings, visit the US Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage.

For more information on Toyota TTEN please visit:


Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

Degrees & Certificates Offered:


VC Automotive Career Education Video:

Smog Students (male and female) standing in front of car.

 

Campus Advisory and Committee Notes:
Automotive Advisory Agenda May 17, 2019
Automotive Advisory Council Meeting May 17, 2019
Automotive Advisory Agenda April 13, 2019
Automotive Advisory Council Meeting November 6, 2018
Automotive Advisory Council Meeting May 4, 2017
Auto Advisory Committee Meeting, January 25, 2016
Advisory Meeting 4-16-2015
Advisory Meeting 1-28-2015
Auto Advisory Committee Notes, 12-11-2013
Auto Advisory Committee Notes, 12-11-2012
Joint Auto Advisory Committee Notes, 12-11-2012

Faculty and Staff

Department Chair: Russell Gardner
Toyota T-TEN Coordinator: Chad Strangeland