VGCC Automotive Program Recertified by National Groups

The Automotive Systems Technology program at Vance-Granville Community College has been recertified as meeting national standards by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

NATEF and ASE first certified the VGCC program in June 2001 after Vance-Granville chose to undergo a rigorous self-evaluation and on-site evaluations by the national groups. The first certification was in four areas: brakes, engine performance, electrical systems, and suspension and steering.

In the reevaluation just completed, VGCC’s program was recertified in those four areas and also received certification in automatic transmission and transaxle and in heating and air conditioning.

According to NATEF, certification gives added assurance to graduates of the Vance-Granville program that they will be employable as entry-level auto technicians. Also, the motoring public will benefit since more qualified technicians will join the workforce, NATEF said.

A nationally-distributed news story that ran recently in an area newspaper praised the value of NATEF/ASE certification for auto mechanics. The story said:

“An ASE-certified automotive technician offers the opportunity for good earnings and secure job growth. And the job is portable; technicians are needed in all parts of the country. Most careers can’t match that.”

Automotive Systems Technology is a one-year diploma program offered both during the day and in evening classes at Vance-Granville Community College. For more information on the program, persons may contact Fred Brewer, program head and instructor, at (252) 738-3204, or visit the college website at vgcc.springerstudios.net .