Students in HCTC’s Automotive Technology program are now training in an ASE-accredited facility—giving them a head start in the automotive industry and a clear path to certification before graduation.
HCTC’s Automotive Technology Program was awarded five year accreditation in Maintenance and Light Repair from the ASE Education Foundation! This means our students are learning with industry-approved tools, techniques, and standards—setting them up for success in the automotive world before they even graduate. The ASE Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening automotive education and preparing students for careers in the transportation service industry- and the accreditation opens an array of doors for HCTC’s auto students!
With accreditation, our program exemplifies the same standards as professional Automotive shops- giving our students opportunities to learn with hands-on internships from some of the highly qualified mentors that we have around Hancock County and beyond!
“I was fortunate- I went to a school a lot like this when I was at that age, and I had an internship experience and I got to work with different industry professionals- and it's still something that resonates with me all the time,” Jamison says. “I try to really figure out what the kids want to do. They come into automotive, but maybe they're a marine kid or maybe they're into boats. Maybe they're into motorcycles. We have all of that in Hancock County. We have a lot going on here, and the reception that I get from our community is always very positive. They're always very open and willing to work with us and get students out in the field because that's their future.”
ASE accreditation also gives Mr. Jamison access to several tools that he uses to keep our program the top-tier program that it is. It provides him with vehicles, parts, tools, software, training and conferences, networking opportunities with other ASE businesses and programs- and even some shiny new toys, too!
“Last year, General Motors and Darlings donated us a Cadillac ATS for the program- because we’re an accredited program,” Jamison says. “It was originally a SkillsUSA prize. The school at New Hampshire Lakes Region Community College won second place a couple of years ago, and they won that Cadillac. They had it for a few years, they’re getting ready for a new vehicle. So they loaded it on a truck and trucked it over to us- a nice shiny new Cadillac to add to the fleet.”
Since our students are learning from an ASE certified instructor- they can also receive college credit for their course work right here at HCTC!
While the accreditation is a reflection of the efforts put in by Mr. Jamison and his students, a few local business owners were instrumental in helping our program reach this accomplishment. A huge thanks goes out to Brandon Tupper from K&B Automotive in Ellsworth and Nathan Richardson from Darlings Auto Mall in Ellsworth for their support, dedication and professionalism in the process!
“Nate and Brandon, I’ve known them for quite a while. They are both mentors of students of mine, and they both are ASE certified master technicians, very highly trained, very well respected in the area,” Jamison says. “Their roles were to be here on the day of the evaluation. They did the shop component. They verified all of our equipment and tools and lifts. They verified that everything in the shop is in good working order, that we had enough tools to go around. They verified all of that stuff- safety equipment, SDS stuff, fire extinguishers. It was an all day process.”
Aside from helping with the evaluation- these businesses do a ton for the HCTC Automotive Technology program- and we’re so thankful for everything they’ve given us throughout the years.
And the cherry on top of being part of a nationally recognized program- Mr. Jamison’s Automotive Technology class really provides kids with tools for success in and out of the garage after they leave HCTC!
“The skills that they’re learning in here are going to pay off in real life,” he says. “When that happens- it’s really cool. It’s all good stuff that they’re going to use as a homeowner, or as an employee in just about any industry. We cover so much stuff- it’s a physics lab on wheels.”
The accreditation lasts for five years- and then Mr. Jamison and his team will work on their next pitch for national recognition! Huge shout out to them and a big thank you to everyone who helps and supports our Automotive Technology program and all of Hancock County Technical Center!