Automotive Service Excellence Certification for Vehicle Mechanics
Majors Overview February 22, 2013Prospective ASE-certified automotive maintenance and repair technicians should enroll in an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certificate program, which is devised to suit their requirements. Aspiring students need to understand that this program offers training for the Automotive Service Excellence examinations, but it does not administer the certification.
Automotive Service Excellence Certificate Program
Admission criteria in some ASE certificate programs require students to have completed a high school diploma or equivalent program, while other programs allow enrollment by high school seniors and juniors who have completed required courses. Enrolled students learn general courses, such as automotive service technology that comprises a range of coursework, or choose an area of focus, including drive train, engine, chassis and electrical. There are as many as nine diverse certification tests offered by ASE for aspiring light truck and automobile mechanics and technicians to pursue, including brakes, air conditioning, heating, automatic transmission, and engine repair. It would be a benefit to students, if they focus on preparing for the specific certification tests that interest them. Those who want to appear in all the ASE certificate examinations should consider applying for admission to a general course where they can get comprehensive instruction and training covering a majority of examination topics.
Course Topics
Coursework in the ASE certificate program comprises a combination of classroom instruction and hands on lab-based training on various subject areas relevant to automotive repair and maintenance. Courses typically include:
•Safety and Emissions
•Suspension Systems
•Automotive Servicing
•Brake Systems
•Basic Automotive Technology
•Engine Repair
Career Options
Completion of this certification program will help students get employed by auto manufacturer service shops, dealerships, or independent auto repair shops. They can target specific occupations such as:
•Advanced Drivability Specialist
•Automobile Repair Technician
•Light Truck Repair Technician
Continuing Education
ASE-certified automotive technicians are required to maintain their certification by re-qualifying every five years. While the requalification tests are not as long as the initial examination, candidates would do well if they seek admission to refresher courses to stay abreast of the latest advances in the field and to increase their knowledge of specific focus areas.