Students in GateWay Community College’s automotive program are learning from the best of the best.
Automotive Technology Program Director Steve Folks and Instructor John Kelly recently completed the training to receive Master Technician certification from Honda and Acura.
The road to Master Technician took some time and training for both; it took Folks nine years and Kelly seven years to reach this milestone.
“As a technician, the value is it helps to show your commitment to the trade,” says Kelly.
Folks and Kelly attended training at the American Honda Training Center in Denver one week per year for the hands-on skills modules, but prior to this, they had to complete a series of online computer-based modules, each requiring roughly two hours or more to complete.
Overall, they each completed more than 250 online and 85 hands-on skills modules in order to earn their master status from each manufacturer. Some of the modules included training on automotive air conditioning, brake systems, electrical, engine, fuel & emissions, restraints, steering & suspension and transmissions.
“When we’re teaching a module in class, we’ve been through it very thoroughly on our own,” says Folks. “The goal is that we give our students exactly the same type of training that they would get at the training center as an employee of the Honda or Acura dealership.”
The Honda PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) program gives students the opportunity to gain real-world experience by working at local dealerships and prepares students for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.
“They’re already certified in a number of areas when they graduate from here,” says Folks. “It’s a real bonus for the student to have that on their resume and for the dealership to be able to hire a student that brings that training with them.“
For information about the automotive program, contact Program Director Steve Folks at folks@gatewaycc.edu or (602) 286-8630.