Auto tech launches new certification training

  Monday, August 22, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Pittsburg State’s Automotive Technology Department is offering its students a new technician certification this semester.

Beginning this fall, the department will integrate the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CAP LOCAL program into its two-year Automotive Service Technology curriculum. The program prepares technicians to work as Level 1 Technicians upon graduation from a certified, two-year training institution, such as a university, college, community college or technical center.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles established the program – known as CAP (Career Automotive Program) LOCAL – in partnership with the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) to train approximately 1,000 students annually.

“Together with our partner, NC3, we are making great progress in expanding our geographic footprint of training sites by identifying and certifying colleges nationwide that have highly-qualified automotive programs,” said John Fox, director of dealer training at FCA US LLC. “Plans are to launch 20 additional educational sites during 2016 and we are well on our way to reaching our goal of enlisting more than 100 certified colleges by 2018.”

Nico Prelogar, an automotive technology instructor at PSU, said the FCA-specific training will take place online. Students will then complete 35 on-campus modules in various areas of automotive technology.

“For example, the FCA training modules for brake systems will be tied to our brakes class,” Prelogar said. “When, at the end of our two-year degree they have completed all the modules, the students will be Level 1 certified through FCA.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 23 representatives from FCA and NC3 will be at Pittsburg State to discuss and formally launch the new certification program. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m at the Kansas Technology Center.