Automotive Service Certificate

Trades & Technology

Program Overview:
The Automotive Service Certificate will provide graduates with knowledge, skills and experience to assist with their entry into automotive occupations. The program is designed for individuals who have limited or no previous exposure to automotive services through work, school, volunteer activities or life experiences. Students will learn basic skills in repairing, maintaining and overhauling motor vehicles. Essential skills for workplace success including communication, computer literacy, customer service, team work and conflict management will be covered. To successfully graduate with an Automotive Service Certificate, students must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Work Placement:
Students will complete a one-week practicum in the fall term and a two-week practicum in the winter term. These work placements allow students the opportunity to work, job shadow a journeyman technician and apply their skills in a shop setting.

Employment Opportunities:
Automotive Service Technicians are employed by automotive repair shops, specialty repair shops, service facilities, car and truck dealerships, and by large organizations that own fleets of vehicles. Experienced automotive service technicians may advance to service manager or shop foreman. Some automotive service technicians open their own repair facilities.
People employed in the Automotive Service industry typically work a 40-hour, 5 day week. Depending on your place of employment, some evening, weekend or holiday shifts may be.

Continue Your Learning:
Once employed, graduates of the Certificate may continue their education by enrolling in Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship. When indentured as an apprentice, the time at RDC may be used as a credit towards apprenticeship. Other graduates will find employment in jobs in automotive service, parts, small engine repair, sales, RV repair, and repair of agricultural machinery.