Just about everyone needs a vehicle, which means those vehicles need repair at times.
One could say the automotive industry is much like any service-based industry – where there are needs, there are careers. That’s why students like Theodore Reardon of Spring already have a job, and yet, are going back to college to obtain the certifications needed to move up in the workplace.
“I got my job because I decided to study for my associate degree in automotive technology,” said Reardon, a 2012 San Jacinto College graduate. “My dealership told me that they wanted someone with training from an accredited program.”
Reardon is working as a technician specializing in electrical, trim, and air conditioning at Wiesner GMC. The skillset he received through the College’s automotive technology department has prepared him with hands-on training on modern technology that he says was comparable and, at times, more up-to-date than equipment found at many dealerships.
“I feel like I have more job security now that I have my General Motors certifications,” said Reardon. “If you ever want to move up into management the dealerships are requiring degrees now, and that means more money.”
San Jacinto College offers an associate degree in automotive technology with training for five manufacturers that include Ford, General Motors (GM), Chrysler, Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus; and certificates for training in Honda, Chrysler, and Toyota automotive repair. There are also two certificates and an associate degree for the automotive technology Future Automotive Service Technicians (FAST) program, an all-encompassing training program.
Students in the FAST program learn to diagnose and repair vehicles from different manufacturers instead of concentrating on only one brand of vehicles. The program trains the most diverse technicians who work in the independent shops, where they will see many different brands of vehicles on a daily basis.
“We’ve streamlined our offerings to make it easier for students to start at one point and complete in a quicker timeframe,” said Mark Deschner, chair of the San Jacinto College transportation department. “We’re going to be able to place students in a job position where they’ll be able to make money basically after the first semester.”
Job placement rate for manufacturing programs near 100 percent. San Jacinto College students go to work for such dealerships as Westside Lexus, Monument Chevrolet, McDavid Honda, Bayway Lincoln, Ron Carter Auto Group, and Allen Samuel Auto Group.
Adelila Ibanze of Pasadena decided to study for a new career while also learning how to repair her own vehicles to save parts and labor costs.
“I was really tired of having my Jeep break down and paying way too much to have it repaired,” said Ibanze. “For the $500 I paid to get the fuel pump fixed, I could have spent that amount to learn how to fix it myself. Plus, I heard San Jac has all of this new equipment and the location is right.”
Most recently, the department introduced a new 92,000 square-foot transportation center, with 25 adjoining class and lab rooms, 24 offices, fully-computerized multipurpose room, and manufacturers and vendors areas. It is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) NC-Silver.
“The curriculum here at San Jacinto College is very thorough,” said Ibanze. “You definitely have to study to excel and to become a successful technician.”
The San Jacinto College automotive department is fully accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). Each full-time automotive instructor is also an ASE Master-Certified Technician and certified as an L1 Advanced Engine Performance technician. Industry partners include Snap-on tools, Mac Tools, Matco Tools, and Hunter Engineering Company. Morris & Associates served as the architects, and Durotech General Contractors, Inc. was the center’s contractors.
For more information, visit www.sanjac.edu/automotive-technology, or call 281-998-6150.
Jeannie Peng-Armao