The Automotive Service Certificate was designed by American Honda Co. (AHM) Professional Automotive Career Training (PACT) and Gateway Community College, now Gateway campus of CT State Community College. This unique, cooperative program educates students for an entry-level maintenance position in Honda or Acura sponsored automotive repair facilities. Through a special arrangement, students attend classes and labs at the North Haven Campus and then obtain practicum experience at a sponsoring Honda or Acura facility. Students in the Honda PACT Certificate program receive instruction on AHM products. Vehicles, parts, engines, specialized tools, service information, and materials are provided by AHM. For more information, contact Professor Giuseppe Vertucci, Program Coordinator at (203) 285-2434 or e-mail at (gvertucci@gatewayct.edu).
Program Entry Requirements
Prospective students must obtain sponsorship through a AHM dealership. Students must meet employment eligibility guidelines for the sponsoring employer. Students must have a valid driver’s license issued by one of the 50 states in United States that does not have any restrictions that would prohibit the student from operating an automotive on public roads. Students will be required to provide their own hand tools and personal protective equipment.
Practicum Requirements
Students will be required to successfully complete paid practicums at sponsoring AHM dealerships. Practicums will be tracked and monitored by the Honda PACT program coordinator. Successful practicum completion requires that all assigned Honda Interactive Network (IN) training courses be completed with a minimum grade of Pass.
Students seeking acceptance into the Automotive Technology: Honda PACT degree program will have to apply to the program. Requirements to apply are:
- Interview with the Honda PACT Program Coordinator to verify eligibility
- Be eligible for college level Math
- Be eligible for college level English
- Complete the Automotive Program placement exam if required
- Have a valid driver’s license issued by one of the 50 states that does not have any restrictions that would prohibit the student from operating an automotive on public roads
Selection of students will be completed and students will be notified shortly after. Once students are selected for enrollment into the program, they will have to find a sponsor for their practicums at an AHM automotive dealership to remain in the Automotive Technology: Honda PACT degree program. Sponsorship of students is a requirement throughout the program to include at the time of graduation. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate in Automotive Technology from CT State Community College as well as Honda PACT Certification. This program has been evaluated by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and is certified as an ASE Accredited Training Program. During their final semester students are encouraged to take the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams for each of the eight automotive subject areas for national certification.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, the graduate will:
- Meet ASE Accredited Training Program required outcomes for Master Automotive Service Technician (MAST) certified programs.
- Demonstrate workplace skills including but not limited to resume preparation, seeking employment, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace environment, demonstrating workplace ethics, and teamwork.
- Apply knowledge of automotive theory to safely perform the duties of an entry level automotive technician.
- Identify and use appropriate tools, testing, and measurement equipment to perform the duties of an entry level service technician.
- Use current reference and training materials from accepted industry publications and standards to accomplish duties required of an entry level service technician.
- Receive corporate credit for web based and embedded classroom / laboratory training in the Honda IN Training Web Site
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of all fundamental automotive concepts as outlined by ASE Accredited Training Program requirements.
- Meet the industry ASE accreditation training outcome requirements for AHM Steering and Suspension, Braking, Power Plant, Electrical, Engine Performance, Drivetrain and Climate Control/Safety systems as assessed by existing instruments in the current course
- Demonstrate practical application of all above outcomes by successful completion of an in-dealership practicum as assessed by existing instruments in current course.
The Automotive Technology: Honda PACT program at CT State - Gateway campus is accredited by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation as an ASE Accredited Training Program. During their final semester students are encouraged to take the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams for each of the eight automotive subject areas for national certification. Once students are selected for enrollment into the program, they will have until August 30 to find a sponsor for their practicums at an AHM automotive dealership to remain in the certificate program. Sponsorship of students is a requirement throughout the program to include at the time of graduation.
This program prepares students to sit for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams A1-A8, G1 and L1.
Students may also receive industry credentials through ProCut (on vehicle rotor service), Snap-on (ShopKey Information System) AllData (Service Information), and Fluke (Digital Meter). Students also receive credit from the Honda PACT for AHM courses that are embedded in the curriculum. Successful students receive credit for approximately 70% of the Honda/ Acura Technician Training Standard courses and are well on their way to Honda Master Certification.
Students receive industry experience through mandatory paid practicums at participating AHM dealerships. This experience is credited toward the ASE hands-on requirements that must be met prior to sitting for the certification exams.
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