The Automotive Technology program at ACC can be a gateway to a successful and relevant career for anyone interested in cars and computer technology.

Students who complete this two-year degree-seeking program will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, graduating as an ASE Master Certified Technician – and usually with very good job prospects.

“We need to always structure everything for what students are going to do when they leave,” said Director Jerry Viola. His enthusiasm for his department and the success of his students is obvious.

These students complete a comprehensive set of automotive courses that train them with the technical and mechanical skills demanded by their field. They also take general education courses such as Technical Writing and Interpersonal Communication to develop professional skills that will ensure their overall success.

The program commitments are steep, but offer an undeniable advantage to anyone willing to dedicate themselves to the career.

The entire tuition is $16,000, which will easily be earned back with an apprenticeship valued at a minimum $10 per hour. The automotive program runs 11 weeks, and the courses are four hours a day, five days a week.

Students also are required to complete five general education courses, at least one per semester with three of the five completed by the start of the second year.

Because of this career-oriented approach, ACC’s Auto Tech department works closely with industry leaders to ensure that students are receiving a relevant education with the most up-to-date vehicles, technologies and tools.

The Auto Tech program recently received donations of more than $1 million in vehicle inventory, as well as more than $3 million in specialty tools and computer diagnostic equipment.

This enables students to learn the latest skills on the best equipment the industry has to offer.

All of that is by Viola’s careful design.

As a graduate of the ACC Auto Tech program and former owner of Master Tech Automotive and Tire, Viola understands that one of the most frustrating and difficult aspects of seeking employment after graduation is the lack of work experience that potential employers use as an excuse to not hire new graduates.

The ACC Auto Tech program requires that all students work at least part-time as an apprentice at a dealership or independent mechanic shop by their second semester. Many of those students continue employment after graduation to become journeymen and, eventually, master mechanics.

“Our students graduate with a degree, work experience and, because they make more [apprenticing] than the program costs, they graduate with virtually zero loan debt,” Viola said.

All of that sounds great, but what of the program’s success?

The Auto Tech department boasts a 92 percent graduation rate. It is also typical for about 30 percent of the Auto Tech students to walk the stage with Phi Theta Kappa honors, denoting that they earned a 3.5 or higher GPA.

Part of the program’s success comes from attentiveness. Aside from the vetting process required to be accepted into the program (background check, drug check, and college-level proficiency in English and math), Viola requires his students to meet certain milestones as the semesters progress.

“We do not allow them to fail,” said Viola.

Small class sizes and engaged, informed instructors play a critical role as well.

Viola accepts only 100 students, annually, which allows him to place 12-16 students in each class, where the students work in pairs. The instructors are knowledgeable, and Viola prefers to match instructors up with subjects that they are particularly passionate about. This is a good scenario for students, especially those who are learning a nuanced hands-on trade.

One major difference in modern automotive repair versus classic automotive repair is the focus on mechanical engineering and computers over brawn. And, as vehicles become more and more automated, careers such as this will only increase in demand and relevance.