Northwest Tech's automotive program receives accreditation

Northwest Technical College web art — Northwest Technical College

By Pioneer Staff Report

July 26, 2024 at 10:44 AM

BEMIDJI 鈥� Northwest Technical College鈥檚 Automotive Service and Performance program recently received Master Automotive Service Technology accreditation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the highest level of accreditation recognized by the institute.

According to a release, programs earning accreditation undergo rigorous evaluation by the ASE Education Foundation using nationally accepted standards measuring the quality of a program鈥檚 instruction, facilities and equipment.

The ASE Education Foundation is a non-profit, independent organization that evaluates and accredits entry-level technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry.

鈥淣TC has outstanding faculty who understand the modern automotive service industry, and thanks to the support of our partners throughout the region our students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and modern labs,鈥� NTC Executive Vice President Ketmani Kouanchao said in a release. 鈥淲e thank the ASE for this accreditation, which recognizes not only the quality of our program but also the quality of our graduates.鈥�

NTC offers a 66-credit diploma in automotive service and performance. Students are trained in modern service and diagnostic procedures and get hands-on experience in a recently remodeled laboratory with up-to-date service and testing equipment.

Classroom and lab training covers a variety of topics including brakes, powertrain systems, diagnostic assessment, introductions to hybrid-engine vehicles and more.

From 2019-2022, 100% of NTC automotive graduates were employed in related industry careers.

鈥淏ecause this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that NTC鈥檚 graduates will be employable entry-level technicians,鈥� ASE Education Foundation President Michael Coley said in the release. 鈥淎s a result of the quality education at NTC, the public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the workforce.鈥�

The NTC Automotive Service & Performance program鈥檚 accreditation period runs until June 1, 2029.

By Pioneer Staff Report

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