Coconino News

After a short delay, the Coconino Community College Automotive Technology program is back and ready for students beginning Monday, Oct. 24.

"CCC's Automotive Technology has grown in the year since it started," said Provost Dr. Nate Southerland. "When our instructor backed out right before the start of the semester and we had to suspend the program, we were heartbroken. We are thrilled to be able to get back up to speed and look forward to serving the students whose plans were disrupted at the beginning of the semester."

 The cost of living in Flagstaff made the process of hiring a full-time faculty member for the program a challenge, and the program was forced into a holding pattern until a full-time faculty member could be found.

 Starting Monday, Oct. 24, CCC will offer AUT 100 (Automotive Basics) on Mondays and Wednesdays 6 to 9:20 p.m., and AUT 106 (Engines) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 9:20 p.m. at Findlay Honda of Flagstaff.

 Southerland added that CCC anticipates offering a full suite of Auto Tech classes next spring, beginning Jan. 17. As enrollments in the program grow, CCC will be in need of additional instructors, and CCC is already reaching out to local automotive dealerships and businesses to help.

 CCC started the program last year with the help of Findlay Honda Flagstaff, which generously donated classroom space and a service bay for students. With the departure of the College’s last Auto Tech faculty member, the College tried several times, unsuccessfully, to recruit a qualified candidate. The reason candidates declined to accept the position centered on the cost of living in Flagstaff.

 To be qualified to teach Automotive Technology courses for the college, a candidate needs to meet one of the following standards:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field of Automotive Technology or a closely related field -OR-
• Any associate degree based on Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) standards AND two years of directly related industry experience -OR-
• Four years of directly related industry experience AND all current, relevant ASC certifications (Engine Repair; Automatic Transmission/Transaxle; Manual Drive Train/Axles; Suspension/Steering; Brakes; Electrical/Electronic Systems; Heating/Air Conditioning; Engine Performance; or equivalent NATEF certifications).

For candidates who are close to meeting one of the standards, CCC can give them a temporary waiver to meet the requirements.

Original source can be found here.