The Peninsula College Automotive Program has been approved for recertification by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
To achieve recertification, the Automotive Program underwent a rigorous two prong evaluation process, which included an extensive self evaluation followed by a comprehensive one day onsite visit by a three member NATEF evaluation team. The team was headed by Mike Kenney from Bates Technical College and included two local Port Angeles businessmen, Guy Stanley of Murray Motors and Mike Shields of Mike and Steve’s Garage.
Peninsula College’s Automotive Program was rated on 10 standards: Purpose, Administration, Learning Resources, Finances, Student Services, Instruction, Equipment, Facilities, Instructional Staff and Cooperative Work Agreements.
The college was also rated and certified on its Integrated Academics Program, which combines language arts, math and science with automotive curricula.
Dan Wilder, Jr., of Wilder Auto and RV and a member of the Automotive Advisory Committee, says: “It is a honor to be involved with this program. I am proud to say that Peninsula College is only one of two schools in the state of Washington that are NATEF Certified with Integrated Academics. That shows Peninsula’s commitment to education, not just technical training.”
Wilder currently has four technicians that are graduates of PC’s program. For him, the recertification is assurance that he is getting a well trained workforce. “The NATEF Certification adds credibility to the program, but most of all it requires integrated academics, skills that are more important than being able to just ‘turn a wrench.’ With the advancement in automobile technology, diagnostic skills are more important than ever, and without great math, reading, writing and science skills, the service technician will not be able to keep up on today’s vehicles.”
PC Automotive Program coordinator and instructor Mike Hansen is particularly pleased by the Integrated Academics certification. “This new certification really enhances our program by adding a strong academic component to our curriculum, making our students more valuable as employees. It also enhances opportunities for our students to potentially transfer to four year colleges and universities in engineering and related fields.”
Hansen is quick to praise the work of fellow automotive instructor Kevin Phillips and I Best instructor Val Conroy. “They are both excellent,” he says, and credits Conroy with helping the program to receive the Integrated Academics certification.
“This is our third year as part of I Best (Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program), and we’ve been able to add more content to our program each year, strengthening the learning process for all of our students. The results are clearly reflected in the Integrated Academics certification we’ve received. As Dan Wilder noted, we’re only one of two colleges in the entire state of Washington to have received it, and I think it reflects well on our students and the training we’re providing.”