WVC Automotive Technology program receives renewed accreditation

Media Contact: Robert Greiner, automotive technology faculty, 509.682.6631, or Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509.682.6436 (Mon. – Thurs.)

March 19, 2015

The Wenatchee Valley College Automotive Technology program has received a five-year accreditation renewal from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

The program had to meet 11 standards of accreditation, which ranges from advising to curriculum, shop structure and inventory. During the renewal process, the automotive technology program underwent an extensive self-evaluation with instructors, administrators and advisory committee members composed of representatives from local businesses. After the faculty submitted a summary of the evaluation, a NATEF representative performed a final evaluation.

To meet accreditation standards, the automotive technology faculty must be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE; maintain adequate budgets for the program; teach to NATEF standards; and keep documentation of all repair orders and estimates. Students must also receive a certain number of lab and instruction hours, and they must perform competencies developed by NATEF.

NATEF improves the quality of automotive technician training programs at schools nationwide by examining the structure, resources and quality of training and comparing them to industry standards. NATEF also works in conjunction with ASE, which tests and certifies automotive professionals.

Students who complete the two-year automotive technology associate degree at WVC may earn their ASE certification within a year of graduating, which greatly improves their chances of finding employment, said Bob Greiner, WVC Automotive Technology faculty.