Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs table of contents Abstract... 2 Introduction... 2 The Partners... 2 Workforce Issues... 3 Activities... 3 Evaluation... 5 Outcomes... 5 Sustainability... 5 Replication... 5 Conclusion... 5 Quarter-byQuarter Report... 6 Funding Information Project Title: Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs DOL Grant Number: An-14517-05-60 Grant Source: U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Grantees: Gateway Technical College, Snap-on, Inc., National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association (WATDA), National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC), and Melior Incorporated Project Manager: Bryan D. Albrecht, President, Gateway Technical College; Julie Dresen, Grants Development Specialist Dollar Amount of Grant: $900,000 In Kind Support: $1,100,000 Cash Support: $1,000,000 Photo: istock Duration: Two Years
Abstract For more than two generations, the automotive and collision industry has served as a key anchor in the nation s communities for employment and tax revenues. However, the U.S. Department of Labor anticipates increased demand for certified automotive technicians over the coming years. Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs is a partnership of education, business, industry and the workforce development system that was formed to respond to this demand. It addresses key automotive workforce issues cited in the President s High-Growth Job Training Initiative, including identifying champions of the industry to improve its image; developing a pipeline of young workers; improving the diversity of the workforce; recruiting certified and trained instructors and developing their career paths; and standardizing education and training. Introduction According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of automotive service technicians is expected to increase 10 to 20 percent through the year 2012, representing between 82,000 and 164,000 new jobs. The demand for qualified employees, particularly qualified body-shop technicians, far exceeds the supply. A substantial number of openings will be created by the need to replace experienced technicians who transfer to other occupations, retire or stop working for other reasons. Like the rest of America s transportation industries, the automotive industry is rapidly changing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor notes that the work of automotive service technicians has evolved from mechanical repair to a high-technology job, and technicians must have an increasingly broad base of knowledge about the integrated electronic systems and complex computers that run today s vehicles. In addition, consumers increasingly demand and deserve higher quality products and services, forcing changing technological needs of the industry s technicians. With the growing sophistication of today s automobiles comes a growing need for industry-certified training. Updating the Nation s Automotive Programs was created to help meet that need. The founding partners of the project have met with the Department of Labor s Business Relations Group and Workforce Investment offices since 2002, when Assistant Secretary of Labor Emily Stover DeRocco was invited to address the Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) Board of Directors at their annual meeting. The collaboration began to take shape in April 2004 at the Automotive Services Workforce Solutions meeting, where a common interest was identified building capacity by training more instructors and by bringing in new workers from untapped pools of labor by reaching out to Job Corps as a partner. The Department of Labor committed to supporting the efforts of Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs because it recognized that the partners are leaders in education, business and economic development who are dedicated to working together collaboratively to address the worker shortages and training needs within the automotive industry. The Partners Gateway Technical College is a two-year Wisconsin technical college serving the counties of Kenosha, Racine and Walworth. Gateway offers instructional programs to approximately 29,000 students from its campuses and through distance learning opportunities. Approximately 5,000 full-time equivalent students are registered in more than 65 career training programs, including automotive technology. Snap-on, Incorporated is a $2.5 billion S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Originally formed as the Snap-on Wrench Company in 1920, today Snap-on offers nearly 14,000 products and services that include diagnostics, under-car equipment, vehicle service information, product procurement/ facilitation, and business management systems. The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) is an independent nonprofit organization that was founded in 1983 with the single mission of evaluating technician training programs against the standards developed by the automotive industry and to recommend qualifying programs for certification by ASE, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Established in 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the testing and certification of service professionals. Currently, about 400,000 professionals hold ASE certifications, and they work in virtually every area of the automotive service industry. The Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association (WATDA), located in Madison, Wisconsin, is the only trade organization representing automobile and truck dealers in the state. It s mission is advancing the common good of its members, consumers and their communities by promoting professionalism and prosperity through education, advocacy, information and service.
The National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) is a network of higher education resources that advocates and promotes the use of technology applications that enhance economic and workforce development programs and services. Advanced Technology Centers (ATCs) are located in all regions of the United States and are normally associated with community colleges and universities, however, some private corporations and school districts also have established ATCs. Melior-Delaware, Inc. is a provider of online technician training for professional technicians, fleets, manufacturers and shop owners. Melior also provides online technician training for secondary and postsecondary schools. The organization is Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE) certified and has received the Excellence in E-Learning Award from the Automotive Training Managers Council. Workforce Issues Competency models, career ladders and apprenticeships are inherent in ASE standards for automotive technicians. Industry certification is achieved through a career ladder with each step equating to increased wages based on the attainment of new skills. Prospective candidates register for and take one or more of ASE s 40-plus exams. The tests are grouped into specialties for automobile, medium/heavy truck, truck equipment, school bus, and collision repair technicians as well as engine machinists, alternate fuels technicians, parts specialists, auto service consultants, and collision damage estimators. Technicians must provide proof of two years of relevant work experience and pass a written exam to become certified. To remain certified, those with ASE credentials must retake and pass the exam at least once every five years. Lifelong learning is essential in today s technologically advanced workplace. ASE conducts paper-and-pencil tests twice a year at more than 750 locations around the country. In addition, selected tests are offered in a computer-based testing (CBT) format at 200 sites for two five-week periods each year. The exams stress knowledge of job-related skills. ASE notes that these are not easy tests, and approximately one out of three people fail. Mastering the complex technological skills of today s automotive industry increasingly requires participation in a training program that is aligned with the needs of the industry and is taught by wellqualified instructors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, automotive service technicians who train in high school career and technical automotive service technology programs or in technical and community college programs will find employment opportunities to be plentiful. To ensure that training meets national standards for excellence, NATEF examines the structure and resources of programs and evaluates them against the nationally accepted standards of quality. To meet the projected demand for skilled workers in the automotive service sector, there must be enough industry-certified programs and qualified instructors to teach in them. Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs was initiated to increase the number of industry-certified schools, the capacity of automotive training programs and the number of NATEF/ASE certified instructors. Activities Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs was initiated to provide training to more than 500 secondary and postsecondary instructors a goal that it would more than achieve. Using a combination of Internet technology and a national outreach approach, the partnership has given secondary and postsecondary schools information concerning the certification process, the ability for instructors to maintain their certification status through online training, and a format for automotive instructors to voice their concerns and recommendations to reduce the barriers that prevent technicians and others from entering careers as automotive instructors. In October 2004, a formal grant ceremony was conducted at Gateway Technical College, and a project executive committee consisting of the major partners was established. Partners included Bryan Albrecht, President of Gateway Technical College; George Arrants, former Business and Education Partnerships Manager of Snap-on Tools; Rod Boyes, President of Melior- Delaware; Richard Hinckley, former Executive Director of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers; Jeff Nelson, Course Developer, Melior-Delaware; Ray Pedersen, Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Association Foundation; and Tom Richardson, Vice President of Melior-Delaware. As the project administration agency, Gateway Technical College established monthly meeting formats and a quarterly reporting procedure to maintain control of the activities of the project. Monthly conference calls and a written agenda enabled the partners to maintain close contact and coordination of the progress toward successful achievement of their goals. Melior Institute initiated the process of identifying online units necessary to complete the 20 hours of training for certification, and evaluation strategies were proposed by NCATC. George Arrants had two meetings with Job Corps to identify sites for po-
tential training prior to the grant announcement and four more during the first quarter of the project. He reported that all of the centers were using Training Achievement Records (TARs) with outdated task lists and that the open entry/exit policy reduced the effectiveness of the classroom instructor. Arrants presented his findings and recommendations to the national office and regional directors. As a result, Job Corps redesigned the basic Automotive Repair Technician program and developed new TARs that are aligned to the industry certification standards by ASE and NATEF. With support from the project partners, the national office of Job Corps hosted an Automobile Technician Program and Instructor Certification Training. The participants received instruction on program design, ASE/NATEF program certification requirements and process, applied academics, curriculum, and support tools. The first goal of year one was to develop a web-based tutorial for automotive instructors seeking ASE certification, and by the end of year one, the tutorial had been developed and was already in use, and Melior had created 12 training modules for the Web site. An instructor in an ASE certified program who was not a partner to the grant provided an independent evaluation of the site and found that it provided all the necessary information or links to other sites to provide the instructor with all the tools and information needed to implement the NATEF certification process. He also noted, I found navigation of the site very easy, and all the required forms and worksheets are available. The Web-based tutorial for schools interested in being certified by ASE was also completed in the first year of the grant, and like the tutorial for instructors, it included training modules, a learning management system and a Web-based tutorial. The partners undertook an extensive dissemination process to inform high schools and colleges across the nation of the certification process and the Web-based options available through the project. Another Web-based process that was developed allows instructors with NATEF/ASE certified programs to achieve the required 20 hours of industry online-based training. Melior identified the training courses for the site. Both the Snap-on and Melior sites continued to be improved based on reviews and evaluations that were made. Gateway s Learning Innovation Division assumed responsibility for the Snap-on site in January 2007 and made upgrades in an effort to increase its utilization. Updates and design improvements to the Web site are intended to better represent the automotive industry and make the site more sustainable past the grant. An Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) training video was created by NATEF as part of the project, with a seasoned ETL, Brian Manley from Denver, Colorado, playing the part of the ETL. Students and instructors from the host school in Atlanta, Georgia, were recruited to play the program instructor, students and onsite team members. CD and DVD versions were made of the video. When eight ETLs were asked to view the prototype and answer a short survey about it, the responses were very positive. An early version shown at an ETL training session during the NACAT conference had also received very positive feedback. WATDA has been active in a number of activities across Wisconsin, including statewide contests. It also produced a CD, Your Starting Line, to promote careers within the automotive industry. In addition, WATDA has participated in a number of events hosted by national organizations and corporations. The WATDA AYES State Manager contacted more than 500 secondary and postsecondary instructors to inform them of the NATEF process available through the grant and to encourage them to maintain or attain NATEF certification. In September 2007, Gateway Technical College s Horizon Center held its grand opening with most of the grant partners in attendance. This state-of-the-art regional training facility in Southeast Wisconsin has a focus on the automotive and aviation industries. It is a complete wireless facility supporting the college s first laptop and paperless educational program, and is designed with a green environmental control system. Gateway has committed space at the Horizon Center specifically for instructor training and for research and development in alternative fuels. The center will also implement a diesel technician program in 2008. Summer Institutes have also been held at Gateway Technical College. These hands-on instructor workshops have grown increasingly more successful, with secondary and postsecondary teachers in attendance. A major part of the partnership s activities was the dissemination of information on the project. They published articles in newspapers and newsletters and had booths and forums at state and national conferences. They participated in presentations to school directors and instructors around the country to inform then of the NATEF training available through the grant. In June, 2006, the partners hosted a web-based symposium for education and industry leaders that focused on the automotive instructor shortage. Then in December 2006, they presented workshops to a national audience of career and technical educators at the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo. The ACTE workshops allowed automotive instructors to engage in discussion and give their recommendations based on their teaching and industry experience.
The partners have presented workshops at SkillsUSA, the NCATC Annual Conference, the Wisconsin Careers Skills Expo and the Wisconsin Technology Educators Association. Throughout the two-year period, using workshops, presentations and marketing materials, all of the grant partners worked to disseminate valuable information about their project, its goals and its success and they continue to do so. Evaluation An external evaluation of the grant for Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs found that after only the first year of the project, The partnership has accumulated an impressive list of dissemination activities, informing others around the nation of the opportunities created under the grant. To date they have recorded that 43 out of 50 states now have instructors participating in their web-based training. The project has also recorded 877 instructors have participated in the training. The evaluation summary also described the grant as exceedingly well managed and noted, The outcomes will assuredly be exceeded, and a model has been created for colleges, industry, and the certification processes to work together to improve both employment opportunities and the competitiveness of any industry. Outcomes As a result of the partnership s work, the number of industry certified schools increased, the number of NATEF/ASE certified instructors increased, and students and the industry benefited, as students graduated and took jobs in the automotive service industry. The projected number of instructors participating in the training was exceeded, since the project s original goal was 500, and even by the end of year one, as previously noted, that number was 877. By the end of quarter eight, not only were all 50 states participating in the online training, but there were 1,740 instructors participating. A survey done in January 2007 found that 2,020 instructors had taken 7,151 course modules, and $360,000 in tuition and tool awards had been made to students studying in certified programs. The partners had exceeded the goals of the grant and assumed additional outcomes and it had been achieved well under the two-year time frame utilizing federal funds in a costeffective manner. The U.S. Department of Labor s Employment and Training Administration recognized Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs with an honorable mention in its Recognition for Excellence awards in the category of Leveraging the Power of e3 Partnerships. Sustainability Snap-on, Incorporated, along with Gateway Technical College will establish a Web service system that will support the project upon its completion. Standards set by NATEF and ASE have recently been updated, suggesting that minimal revisions will be needed in the near future. The grant partners have agreed to maintain their collaborative effort in providing education and resources to automotive technicians, instructors and industry leaders. They have also agreed to seek and apply for funding through various agencies and foundations in order to introduce young people to careers in the transportation industry and to continue offering training. Additional partnerships with other organizations and school districts will be developed as part of this project to sustain a long-term commitment to future funding and technical support. Some of the grant partners have approached business and industry organizations regarding sponsorship and partnering opportunities. Replication NATEF and ASE standards are universal, so replication of the program is fundamental and achievable. Projects initiated by partners, such as the CD created by WATDA, are processes that can be replicated nationwide. Through national dissemination networks, Gateway Technical College will provide leadership through various workforce development agencies, including job centers, Job Corps, community-based organizations and Workforce Investment Boards. The project will embrace investments in new partnerships that focus on workforce training providers. This effort will be coordinated through state and local government agencies. Conclusion Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs was created to meet the demand for skilled workers in the automotive service industry, and it appears that the positive outcomes of the work done during the two-year grant period will continue to benefit the industry through the increased number of industry-certified training programs and instructors. It also serves as an example of a partnership of public and private organizations working in cooperation to improve workforce development by merging education and training needs with technology delivery systems to effectively respond to corporate and community needs. In one of the nation s largest economic markets, Upgrading the Nation s Automotive Programs has demonstrated the power of collaboration between education and industry.
Quarter-by-Quarter Year One, Quarter One Project committee is established. Project account codes, policies and procedures are established. Melior initiates the process of identifying the online units necessary to complete the 20 hours of training for certification, and samples are made available to the project management team. Evaluation strategies are proposed by NCATC. Melior creates 12 modules. George Arrants begins visiting Job Corps sites. Bryan Albrecht and George Arrants attend the U.S. Department of Labor s National Training Conference in Washington, D.C. Year One, Quarter Two Gateway develops a Web page featuring the grant project with links to all partner homepages. A learning management system is developed for online instructor training. Gateway establishes a cooperative agreement with BioCATT, Inc. to host the project Web site. WATDA develops and submits a grant to further automotive and diesel training. Continuing education hands-on training takes place at the Fourth Annual Wisconsin Technology Education Conference. The project is presented at the League of Innovations Conference, the Wisconsin Association for Career and Technical Education Conference, the Wisconsin Technology Education Conference, the Wisconsin Technical Education Association Annual Conference, and at the University of Minnesota, Department of Vocational Education. WATDA develops a plan to conduct a Summer Institute at Gateway Technical College. Year One, Quarter Three Gateway creates a W ebsite that will be accessible for all automotive grantees. As of June 30, 2005, the Melior training site has recorded 125 instructors on profile, 280 courses begun and 79 courses completed. George Arrants completes his Job Corps site visits and submits his report. WATDA has had contact with 70 Wisconsin high schools, which has resulted in more than 150 applications for the WATDA technician scholarship. WATDA has placed 80 students in dealerships that fund the awards for students attending Wisconsin technical colleges in the fall. WATDA develops a proposed program with the National Girl Scouts to introduce girls in southeastern Wisconsin to opportunities in the automotive industry. The project is presented at the Wisconsin SkillsUSA Conference, the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium Spring Conference, the American Association of Community Colleges Spring Conference, and to the Education Minister of China. The WATDA AYES state manager has made more than 300 contacts with secondary and postsecondary teachers to inform and encourage them to maintain or attain their NATEF certification. NCATC hosts a display at the NCATC Summer Workshop.
Year One, Quarter Four The Gateway project Web site is announced to all DoL automotive grantees. As of September 30, 2005, Melior records 459 instructors on profile and 1,490 courses begun. Melior notifies all state directors of SkillsUSA regarding the training site. The project is displayed at the NCATC National Conference. The project is presented at a workshop at Workforce Innovations. WATDA completes the Summer Institute at Gateway Technical College, with 32 secondary and postsecondary teachers registered. WATDA makes more than 542 contacts with secondary and postsecondary teachers to inform and encourage them to attain or maintain their NATEF certification. Year Two, Quarter One The Snap-on Web site is released after a thorough review by NATEF. There are 877 instructors participating and 3,401 modules completed on the Melior Web site. 43 of 50 states participating in Melior online training modules. Dissemination at ACTE Annual Convention All project partners asked to make commitments to sustain the project after funding ceases. Year Two, Quarter Two The Melior Web site records that 1,120 instructors have participated in training, and the number of courses is now 4,262. 48 of 50 states participating in online training. 381 contacts to Wisconsin automotive instructors made by AYES state manager. The Snap-on tutorial Web site was updated based on the first year external evaluation recommendation. NATEF developed modules were prepared for inclusion in the ETL Supplemental Training Video. Project dissemination events were held by Melior, WATDA and NCATC staff. Year Two, Quarter Three Melior reports a total of 1,423 instructors have participated in training on the Web site, and the total number of courses is now 4,982. 48 of 50 states participating in online training. Grant partners held face-to-face meeting in Kansas City, in conjunction with Skills USA. The topic of discussion was sustainability, automotive instructor shortage, and the Snap-on Web site. The partners held a Web-based discussion regarding the instructor shortage. Included in the discussion were representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, SkillsUSA, and the Wisconsin Technical College System The grant partners received Honorable Mention in the E3 Category in DOL s Recognition of Excellence award program. NATEF reported the ETL training video script was finalized and the video was shot in Atlanta; voice over has taken place. Job Corps aligned the basic Automotive Repair Technicians program to the industry standards and program certification requirements.
Year Two, Quarter Four 1,740 cumulative instructors participating in training and the total number of courses is now 6,027. Goal to have 500 instructors participate in online training at 348 percent. All 50 states participating in online training. 1 training video completed. 274 contacts to WI automotive instructors made by YES State Manager. $360,000 in tuition and tool awards to students studying in certified programs. Year Three, Quarter One Project partners held a workshop at the Association for Career and Technical Education Convention to address the automotive instructor shortage. Project Evaluator, Dr. Richard Hinckley, National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC), completed the evaluation tool for the Melior training site. Gateway Technical College took ownership for the learnandearn.tv website and the Snap-on created tutorial. NATEF posts six modules and five extra features of the ETL video on the ETL Resource section of its Web site. Year Three, Quarter Two Conference calls were held in February and April. An additional outcome of this project, Gateway Technical College leveraged resources and gained incredible industry support to open the Horizon Center, an Advanced Technology Transportation Center. The center is scheduled to open in September 2007. Year Three, Quarter Three The grant partners met in Kansas City for the yearly national meeting. Gateway President, Bryan Albrecht, participated in a podcast and roundtable at Workforce Innovations. Gateway s automotive program achieved NATEF certification. The main event for this quarter was the SkillsUSA event. Snap-on, Inc., sponsored a booth, inviting Gateway to use booth space to promote the project Web site. As part of the booth, Gateway and Snap-on collected information on SkillsUSA attendees to determine their interest in automotive careers. Year Three, Quarter Four The main event for this quarter was the Horizon Center grand opening on September 20th. The Horizon Center is a state-of-the-art regional training facility in Southeast Wisconsin with a focus on the automotive and aviation industries. Developed with a philosophy of community investment, Gateway leveraged multiple opportunities to fund the reconstruction of an existing facility and technology infrastructure to establish a complete wireless facility supporting the college s first laptop and paperless educational program. In addition, the center is designed with a green environmental control system and serves as a model for environmental responsibility. To date, more than 130 individuals and companies have invested in the partnership including $860,000 in equipment donations and $803,000 in cash donations. Most grant partners were in attendance, including Snap-on, Inc., Melior, Wisconsin Automotive and Truck Dealers Association Foundation (WATDA), and The National Coalition for Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC).