Your career path in the automotive department at any community college can be exciting and rewarding. Check out these local Southern California colleges located in Los Angeles and Orange County for more information on how to begin your successful career in the automotive industry.
■ Cerritos College ■ Fullerton College ■ Pierce College 11110 Alondra Blvd. 321 E. Chapman Ave. 6201 Winnetka Ave. Norwalk, CA 90650 Fullerton, CA 92832 Woodland Hills, CA 91371 Contact: Dr. Nick Real, Dean Contact: Dave Lopez, Program Coordinator/ Contact: Tom Fortune, Department Chair (562) 860-2451 x3084 Chairperson (818) 710-4320 www.cerritos.edu/auto (714) 992-7119 www.piercecollege.edu/ Programs: Ford – ASSET • Chrysler – CAP • techneng.fullcoll.edu/automotive.html Programs: Certificate of Completion in General Motors - ASEP • IMPCO – Gaseous Programs: Vocational Certificate in Automotive Automotive Technology • A.A. Degree in Fuels • Import Technician Training Program - Technology • A.S. Degree in Automotive Automotive Technology (Includes General ITTP • Certificates of Achievement in: General Technology • Additional Skill Certificates Education) Technician, Engine/Machining Technology, Electrical/Diagnosis Technician, Manufacturer ■ Golden West College ■ Rio Hondo College Specialty • A.A. Degree in Automotive 15744 Golden West St. 3600 Workman Mill Rd. Technology (Includes General Education) Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Whittier, CA 90601 Contact: John Kasabian, Department Chair Contact: Steve Tomory, Automotive Technology ■ Citrus College (714) 895-8792 Director/Coordinator The 1000 W. Foothill Blvd. Programs: Certificate in Chassis and Drive (562) 463-7371 Glendora, CA 91741 Train • Certificate in Engine Performance http://www.riohondo.edu/tech/auto/ Contact: Jim Lancaster, Dean and Emissions • A.A. Degree in Automotive generalInfo.htm (626) 852-6402 Technology (Includes General Education) Programs: American Honda PACT Program ● Fast Track to an www.citrus-auto.com Smog Testing Technician • General Automotive Programs: Toyota/Lexus/Scion Sponsored ■ Degree Program • Alternative Fuels Program ● Long Beach City College Heavy Equipment Technology Technician Training (T-TEN) • Technician’s 1305 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. Education Cooperative (TEC) • High Perfor- Long Beach, CA 90806 Automotive mance Institute (HPI) • Motorcycle Technology • Contact: Cal Macy, Advanced Transportation ■ Saddleback College Medium and Heavy Truck Technology Project Director 28000 Marguerite Parkway (562) 938-3067 Mission Viejo, CA 92692 ■ Cypress College attc.lbcc.edu Contact: Clifford Meyer, Department Chair Technology (949) 582-4996 9200 Valley View St. Programs: Medium and Heavy Duty Alternative http://www.saddleback.edu/atas/ Cypress, CA 90630 Fuels including LNG, CNG and Hybrid autotech Contact: John Alexander, Department Chair Technologies Programs: Certificate in: Automotive Chassis (714) 484-7231 Career Specialist, Automotive Engine Service Specialist, [email protected] ■ Los Angeles Trade Technical College and Automotive Engine Performance Specialist Programs: Toyota/Lexus/Scion Sponsored 400 W. Washington Blvd. • ●General Automotive Technician • Certificate Technician Training (T-TEN) • Certificate of Los Angeles, CA 90015 in Alternative Fuel Vehicle Specialist • Smog Completion in Automotive Technology • ●A.A. at a Contact: Rudy Serrato Certification Degree in Automotive Technology (Includes (213) 763-3900 General Education) www.lattc.edu Programs: Certificate of Achievement in ■ Santa Ana College Community College ■ East Los Angeles College Automotive Technology • Certificate of 1530 West 17th St. Santa Ana, CA 92706 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez Achievement in Diesel Truck and Heavy Contact: Department Co-Chairs Monterey Park, CA 91754 Equipment • Certificate of Achievement in Body Glen Hammonds (714) 564-6664 Contact: Adrian Banuelos, Chairperson Work • Certificate of Achievement in Alternative Doug Wilkes (714) 564-6667 (213) 763-3901 Fuel and Hybrid Electric Plug-In www.sac.edu www.elac.cc.ca.us Programs: Certificate of Completion in: Programs: NATEF Master Certified• Fast ■ Pasadena City College Automotive Technology, Diesel Technology, Track Automobile Technology Program (Short 1570 E. Colorado Blvd. Transport Refrigeration • A.A. Degree in: Term Classes) • Certificate of Achievement Pasadena, CA 91106 Automotive Technology (Includes General in Automobile Technology • A.S. Degree in Contact: Anne Ostrander, Secretary Education), Diesel Technology (Includes General Automotive Technology (626) 585-7267 Education) www.pasadena.edu/divisions/ ■ El Camino College engineering-tech/index.cfm 15007 Crenshaw Blvd. Programs: Certificate of Achievement in: All Torrance, CA 90506 Automotive Systems, Air Conditioning, Engine Contact: John Lewis or Harry Stockwell Performance, Powertrain, Underhood, Undercar (310) 660-3593 x3303 • A.A. Degree in Automotive Technology www.elcamino.edu/academics/ (Includes General Education) indtech/autotech/ Programs: Certificate in Achievement in Automotive Technology Rev. 5/2014 here are many paths to a career in T automotive. Cerritos College offers KNOWLEDGE the fast track to the training necessary for a successful future in automotive Earnings in Automotive Technology Do you like?
technology. Choose from many different tracks, such as classes in auto mechanical - Mechanical Repairs general service to specialized service such - Customer Service as drive train, cooling and heating, and - New Technologies electrical systems courses. - Working with Computers SKILLS Are You Good At? QUALIFICATIONS
For anyone planning ahead for a career - Repairing Things in automotive technology, students - Problem Solving are advised to take courses in English, - Troubleshooting mathematics, computer technology, electronics, physics, and auto and machine - Active Listening shop. To be successful, a high degree of mechanical ability as well as customer and personal service, engineering and WHY CHOOSE A CAREER IN technology knowledge, and critical thinking AUTOMOTIVE? are necessary, as well as manual dexterity, auditory attention, and visualization. The median wage in 2013 for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $41,835 WONDERING HOW TO GET annually, or $20.11 hourly. To start, you only need to have a high school diploma, although STARTED? most employers prefer to hire employees who We offer a variety of automotive certificates, have completed a postsecondary vocational and can help you on your way to achieving or community college automotive technician an AA degree as well with the addition training program. of a few general education classes. Just Most employers prefer to hire employees who have completed a vocational or community pick your path and choose between day PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS college automotive technician program. or night classes! Many certificates can be finished within a year, and financial aid and Our programs are supported by a wide variety scholarships are available. of partners from both the state, college, and private industry. Cerritos College offers specific Corporate programs to ready you for Automotive Information links: a career in the auto industry. Our corporate Automotive Youth Educational Systems programs include well-known companies http://www.ayes.org/ such as General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, National Automotive Technicians as well as Imports. Education Foundation Southern California is a great place to start http://www.natef.org/ your career in the automotive industry. National Institute for Automotive Service Southern California is home to over 500 Excellence new car dealerships, and in addition http://www.ase.com/ many corporate offices are located here, including BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Isuzu, Kia, Mazda, Suzuki, Toyota, and others! Plus, career enhancement opportunities exist for all graduates to progress within the dealer organization, including as a Service Manager, Parts Manager, and Service Advisor to name just a few. Entry-level employees learn and practice their skills by working with experienced Technicians.