Automotive / Transportation Training & Certification

PRINTER-FRIENDLY​ VERSION

Automotive Systems

America’s Careers InfoNet predicts that job openings in the automotive field will increase by 36% in the next eight years due to consumers keeping their automobiles for longer periods of time. The demand will also increase for mechanics that are able to repair and maintain alternative fuel vehicles.

Automotive wages/salaries in North Carolina (data from NC Labor Market Statistics) are $16 an hour and an annual average salary of $60,000. 

Blue Ridge Community College students will be able to choose from eleven tracks in the Automotive Systems Cluster:  A4 Steering & Suspension; A5 Brakes; A6 Electrical Electronics; A7 Heating & Air Conditioning; A8 Engine Performance; A9 Light Duty Diesel Track; B2 Painting & Refinishing; B3 Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair; F1 Natural Gas; T2 Diesel Engines ; and X1 Exhaust Systems.

Each track requires completion of three to five courses. Each cluster of courses is tied to a different ASE credential.

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation Logo

 

 

 

Schedule of Classes

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASE Award Brian Johnson

Brian Johnson, BRCC Automotive Instructor Wins National Award

Brian Johnson was recently awarded the prestigious ASE Industry Education Alliance Instructor Recognition Award.  This is the highest national award an ASE/NATEF Instructor can receive. Brian was awarded this in a ceremony before a national delegation of 300 Instructors and Industry professionals from across the US at ​the recent ​ASE/​NATEF Conference in Kansas City.

Areas of Expertise

At BRCC, students choose from eleven areas of expertise.

Each area requires the completion of three to five courses. Each cluster of courses focuses on a different ASE credential. 

For information on automotive courses, call (828) 694-1744, or email moniquee@blueridge.edu

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National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium (NAFTC)

National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium Logo

 

BRCC is a National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium (NAFTC) training center. Students train in cutting-edge alternative-fuel transportation-system technology using the latest diagnostic techniques and equipment.

  

List of Classes

  • Light Duty CNG Vehicles
  • CNG Vehicle Inspector License Preparation
  • Introduction to Alternative Fuel Vehicles
  • Light Duty LPG and AutoGas Vehicles
  • Introduction to Hybrid and EV Technology
  • Hybrid and EV (electric Vehicle) Diagnosis and Repair
  • Overview of Bio-Diesel
  • First Responders: Alternative Fuel Vehicles

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Transportation System Programs

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation Logo

A4 Steering & Suspension
As students gain shop experience, they learn the principles of automotive steering and suspension. Upon completion of this course, students will have the knowledge for ASE Steering & Suspension A4 Certification.

Successful completion will provide 4 articulated curriculum credits.

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A5 Brakes

Students learn the principles of automotive brake systems with hands-on shop experience. Upon completion of this course, students will have the knowledge necessary for ASE Brakes A5 Certification.

Successful completion will provide 4 articulated curriculum credits. 

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A6 Electrical Electronics

Students gain shop experience and the understanding of the principles related to automotive electrical systems in this course. Upon completion of this course, students will have the knowledge required for ASE Electrical Electronics A6 Certification.

Successful completion will provide 5 articulated curriculum credits.

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A7 Heating & Air Conditioning (& Section 609)

Students gain shop experience and learn the principles of refrigeration and heating, of electrical/ elect5ronic/pneumatic controls, and of diagnosis and repair of climate control systems. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to diagnose and repair vehicle climate control systems. In addition, students will have the knowledge required for ASE A7 Heating and Air Conditioning Certification and for EPA Section 609 Certification — allowing them to work on Mobile Vehicle Air Conditioning Systems.

Successful completion will provide 4 articulated curriculum credits.  

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A8 Engine Performance

Students gain shop experience and learn the principles of automotive engine performance systems. Upon completion of this course, students will have the knowledge required for ASE Engine Performance A8 Certification.

Successful completion will provide 4 articulated curriculum credits.  

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A9 Light Duty Diesel

Students gain shop experience and study the principles of light-duty diesel-fuel delivery systems in on-road applications. Upon completion of class, students will demonstrate the skills necessary to research service information and inspect, test, and repair induction, boost, and after-treatment components, information required for ASE A9 Light Duty Diesel Certification.

Successful completion will provide 8 articulated curriculum credits.  

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B2 Painting & Refinishing

Students gain shop experience and learn the principles of automotive refinishing equipment and materials in surface preparation and application. Upon completion, students will be able to identify and use proper equipment and materials in refinishing in accordance with accepted industry standards and required for ASE B2 Painting and Refinishing Certification.

Successful completion will provide 4 articulated curriculum credits.  

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B3 Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair

Students gain shop experience and learn the principles of safety and tools, as well as the basic fundamentals of body repair. Upon completion, students will be able to identify and repair minor direct and indirect damage, including removal/ repairing/ replacing of body of panels to accepted standards required for ASE B3 Non-Structural Analysis & Damage Repair.

Successful completion will provide 3 articulated curriculum credits.    

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F1 Light Duty Natural Gas

Students gain shop experience and study the principles of natural-gas vehicles, including compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas (propane). Students will also get an overview of sustainable transportation technology. Upon completion of all four classes, students will have the knowledge and experience necessary for ASE Alternative Fuel Vehicles F1 Certification.

Successful completion of all four classes will provide 3 articulated curriculum credits. (ATT 150 Sustainable Transportation Technology).

All four classes will provide the knowledge and skill sets necessary to sit for the ASE F1 credentialing exam.  

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T2 Diesel Engines

Students gain shop experience and learn the principles of the basic design and operational parameters for light-duty diesel (LDD) engines used in road applications. Upon completion, students will be able to describe the design and operation of the LDD, perform basic service operations, and demonstrate the proper safety procedures required for ASE T2 Diesel Engine Certification.

Successful completion will provide 3 articulated curriculum credits.  

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X1 Exhaust Systems

Students gain shop experience and learn the terms and procedures for welding various metals used in the transportation industry — with an emphasis on environmental health. Upon completion, students will have a basic knowledge of welding operations and safety procedures necessary for ASE X1 Exhaust System Certification.

Successful completion will provide 4 articulated curriculum credits. 

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Certifications

 Auto Emission Inspection 8-hour Certification
This course is required to become a licensed Auto Emission/OBD Inspector. The course meets the training requirements for the Auto Emission Inspection Program administered by the NC Division of Motor Vehicles. Mechanics attend an 8­-hour emission course and pass the DMV certification exam. The class focuses on DMV regulations, inspection procedures, and proper use of diagnostic equipment.

  • The DMV exam is administered.
  • Registration Fee $70 (Emissions/OBD Regulations manual included).
  • Registration is limited.

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 Escort Vehicle Operator 

  • Pilot Car/Escort Vehicle Operator Certification Program
  • Escort for OVERSIZE/OVERWEIGHT LOADS
  • Start your own business as a Pilot Car/ Escort Vehicle Operator
  • Get Certified to escort OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT LOADS

This class satisfies the requirements set by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to certify Oversize/Overweight load escort vehicle drivers. Course components consist of defensive driving, escort driver requirements, skills training and licensing examination.  
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Alliance Tractor-Trailer Training Centers

Professional Truck Driving
Learn the fundamentals of becoming an entry level professional tractor trailer driver.  This course is a classroom training allowing students to receive academic and practical instruction for the safe operation of a Tractor Trailer. Students may continue in the program to gain practical on road training through Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center. Certain employment criteria must be met prior to starting the driving portion of the program with Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center. 
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Vehicle Safety Inspection 8­-hour Certification and Recertification
This course is required by North Carolina to become a licensed Vehicle Safety Inspector or to renew an existing license. Mechanic attend an 8­-hour safety class and pass the NC Division of Motor Vehicles certification exam. The class focuses on DMV regulations, inspection procedures, and proper use of diagnostic equipment.

  • The DMV exam is administered.
  • Registration Fee $75 (manual included).
  • Registration is limited.

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Contact Us

(828) 694-1735
ewdce@blueridge.edu

 

Joe Shook
(828) 694-1686
jd_shook@blueridge.edu

Contact Us

(828) 694-1735
ewdce@blueridge.edu

 

Joe Shook
(828) 694-1686
jd_shook@blueridge.edu