Press Release - February 16, 2012

GCC Auto Tech Achieves NATEF Accreditation

Gogebic Community College’s Automotive Technology Program recently achieved the highly prestigious NATEF Master Automotive Technician accreditation, with special recognition for teaching embedded applied academics. This is indeed an honor for GCC, as fewer than three out of ten certified schools receive such recognition.

The motor vehicle repair industry has taken on a new sophistication. It requires advanced technical training and computer literacy. Today’s automotive technician must have a thorough knowledge of automotive systems and components, and possess many other skills such as computer, communication, mechanical aptitude, reasoning ability, manual dexterity, and be able to read accurately and follow instructions.

To help vocational educators recruit, mentor, and train tomorrow’s technicians, the National Automotive Technician’s Education Foundation (NATEF) offers accreditation for technician training programs. The purpose of the accreditation process for an automotive technician training program is to improve the quality of training offered at secondary and post-secondary, public and proprietary schools. Listed below are just a few of the benefits of accreditation:

For schools, program accreditation:

• Increases potential for funding from public and corporate sources
• Provides a mechanism for recruiting students based on demonstrated program excellence

For students:

• Provides a means of identifying quality programs meeting national standards
• Ensures that training received is current, complete, and applicable

For employers:

• Ensures a pool of well-trained entry-level technicians
• Encourages involvement with the schools through the advisory committee

For the automotive service industry:

• Encourages respect for professions within automotive service
• Increases professionalism within the industry