The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), an affiliate of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), establishes the standards by which training facilities become certified. Once the training facility achieves these minimal standards, NATEF recommends the facility to ASE for certification. While ASE certification is voluntary, it does signify that the program meets uniform standards for instructional facilities, equipment, staff credentials, and curriculum. In 2002, about 1,200 high school and postsecondary automotive service technician training programs had been certified by ASE.
Voluntary certification by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has become a standard credential for automotive service technicians. While completing coursework at NCCCS will give you the skills you need for a job in the auto industry, certification will increase your opportunities for employment, and with these greater opportunities for employment, your salary can increase as well. Some of our programs, like Automotive Systems Technology, for example, are geared towards helping you get ready for certification. We know how important certification is to your future.
Why get certified? Your job opportunities increase substantially. Your certification makes you a more attractive candidate to certain employers, such as dealerships. This will help you not only find a job but find a job with real financial rewards. For example, an automotive service technician averaged $17.66/hr (this includes base pay and incentive pay, if any) working at a dealership versus 13.04/hr at a gasoline station. The more educated and qualified you are, the better your chances of getting these more lucrative jobs. Many employers expect their employees to be certified or will help you get your certification.
The individuals at ASE also find that if you become ASE-certified, your choice of potential jobs and earnings increases. They also believe that certification can offer you greater peer recognition, enhance your professional image, improves your skills and knowledge, and grant you professional credentials.
