2008 Woodie Awards
Automotive department revs its engines
Harvey Duncan
Issue date: 2/23/06 Section: News
Beyond the clinking stalls of the MJC Auto Shop, there are students striving to become professional technicians for a new age in automotive technology. Just as doctors, pilots, and many other professions, auto techs need to learn new things about the cars they may be working on in the future.
Of the roughly 200 students per semester, there are a total of three full time instructors, and four part time teachers. For the general auto tech, John Peterson is your man. His students work on engines, brakes, and electronics. Certification is good enough to advance to the next level and then to an Automotive Service Excellence or ASE Certified mechanic. No experience is necessary; the program starts from the very basics of tool identification and shop etiquette. However, if you have two years of experience in high school auto programs then you may have the advantage of going straight to the hands-on class.
In total, there are 40 units to be earned through the mechanics program, and usually takes about 2 years, including summer courses, to pass. Class times range five days a week from 8am all the way to 10pm if in the night course, but they are expanding.
In his third semester in the auto shop, student Harsh Thakar knows that, "Reading is critical." Also adding, "If you don't know, ask". One of the things to bring to class is a respect for cars, but as Ron Cooper (an instructor of 16 years) pointed out, students usually come to the program the love of automobiles. Most of the students fall between the ages of 18 and 23, but have ranged to the ripe age of 50 years.
MJC has a high employment and completion rate, and to make run even smoother the school is attempting to create a job placement and internship program for graduates. Not only do they teach technicians of the future, but the present as well. Since vehicles are advancing in today's society, auto techs need to stay up on the newest programming and technology of new car systems.
Of the roughly 200 students per semester, there are a total of three full time instructors, and four part time teachers. For the general auto tech, John Peterson is your man. His students work on engines, brakes, and electronics. Certification is good enough to advance to the next level and then to an Automotive Service Excellence or ASE Certified mechanic. No experience is necessary; the program starts from the very basics of tool identification and shop etiquette. However, if you have two years of experience in high school auto programs then you may have the advantage of going straight to the hands-on class.
In total, there are 40 units to be earned through the mechanics program, and usually takes about 2 years, including summer courses, to pass. Class times range five days a week from 8am all the way to 10pm if in the night course, but they are expanding.
In his third semester in the auto shop, student Harsh Thakar knows that, "Reading is critical." Also adding, "If you don't know, ask". One of the things to bring to class is a respect for cars, but as Ron Cooper (an instructor of 16 years) pointed out, students usually come to the program the love of automobiles. Most of the students fall between the ages of 18 and 23, but have ranged to the ripe age of 50 years.
MJC has a high employment and completion rate, and to make run even smoother the school is attempting to create a job placement and internship program for graduates. Not only do they teach technicians of the future, but the present as well. Since vehicles are advancing in today's society, auto techs need to stay up on the newest programming and technology of new car systems.