Eleven students in Mountainland Technical College’s automotive and diesel technology program have achieved a record number of ASE Master Technician certifications, according to a October 6 report. The students acquired all eight Automotive Service Excellence certifications, a milestone the college says is the most it has ever had.
The certification process requires mastering eight specific areas: Engine Repair (A1), Automatic Transmission/Transaxle (A2), Manual Drive Train and Axles (A3), Suspension and Steering (A4), Brakes (A5), Electrical/Electrical Systems (A6), Heating and Air Conditioning (A7), and Engine Performance (A8).
Matt Zufelt, the MTECH automotive technology program coordinator, stated that obtaining all certifications typically takes technicians an entire career. He noted that the achievement is particularly valuable because many car manufacturers require an ASE Master Technician to work with shops under warranty. Each of the 11 students completed the MTECH program with a job secured.
To reward their efforts, the students received scholarships to purchase tools for their professional careers. Contributions to these scholarships came from MTECH’s automotive partners in Utah and Wasatch counties, including Daktik, Doug Smith, Sav-Mor Auto Clinic, Tunex, Labrum Ford Chevrolet, Karl Malone Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Heavy Equipment Solutions, Goodfellow, Suncore, and Payson Napa Auto Supply.
The students who received the certifications are Lake Dinga, Owen Winward, Brighton Kindell, Ethan Larson, Mason Blackham, Easton Spencer, Andrew Alvey, Andrew Reeves, Hyrum Lamont, Garrett Stokes, and Harrison Moore.
The MTECH automotive program is offered at three campus locations: Lehi, Payson, and Heber Valley. According to Zufelt, approximately 200 students work in the state-of-the-art facilities.
Students in the two-year course spend three hours a day in the shop, while those in the one-year course spend six hours a day in the shop. Zufelt stated that the majority of students, roughly 90 percent, graduate without student loan debt.
The MTECH curriculum uses the ASE Education Foundation task list and a crawl, walk, run methodology. While the college does not require students to pass the ASE to receive course credit, the exams are used as finals for each course to demonstrate mastery. Zufelt noted the computer-based exams are designed to simulate real-world shop scenarios through challenging critical thinking questions.
