The Alliance High School Auto Tech seniors have had a successful year with each student earning at least one certification on the first try, with three students earning all eight entry-level certifications through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
All Auto Tech career tech students will earn three to four certifications in the areas of suspension and steering, braking systems, engine electrical systems and engine repair. The four areas align with the curriculum of the class and the focus of each quarter. The students can choose to take more certifications during their time at AHS for free based on their areas of interest.
This year, three students received all eight entry-level ASE certifications which automatically got them the maintenance and light repair certification at the professional technician level. The three students are Brayden McCabe, Jacob Danko-Zorger and Atlee Fish. This is a big accomplishment for the students and shows their dedication to their chosen career field.
Along with the success of the three students, seven total students have been working in the auto tech industry for most of the school year where they are gaining valuable hands-on experience.
“That’s really a high success rate for this program,” said Kevin Billingsley, the Auto Tech teacher. “You normally don’t get that many students who are ready to work, or I don’t get that many employers that need somebody or can take on training a student, or I don’t get that many kids that have driver’s licenses or a way to work, so that’s been a huge success this year.”
He attributes this success to the community partners who support the program in an abundance of ways, from donating cars for students to work on to helping to spread the word about students looking for jobs. The community partners have been a huge help in shaping the success of the program over the years and Billingsley is grateful for their support.
The AHS Auto Tech program is an ASE accredited program, which many career tech schools are opting not to do anymore. Every five years, the program goes through the accreditation process, which involves on-site visits, documentation of how standards are used and taught and an inspection of the auto tech space.
Being ASE accredited assists the program in many ways, including allowing partnerships with multiple colleges and technical schools that will allow students to earn credits based on their ASE certifications and help to put them ahead in their programs. The accreditation along with the ASE certifications are nationally recognized in the auto tech field and helps students, when finding jobs, to showcase their skills and training to their employers.