DELHI, N.Y. — SUNY Delhi announced that its Automotive Technology program has received Master Automobile Service Technology Accreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). This is the highest level of achievement recognized by NATEF.
"We have maintained the NATEF credential for nearly 15 years now, and very few automotive programs are able to obtain the Master Level," said Eric Robert, dean of applied sciences and building technologies at SUNY Delhi. "Employers can be assured that when they are hiring a Delhi automotive graduate, they are hiring the best in the field."
SUNY Delhi’s Automotive Technology program underwent a rigorous evaluation by NATEF. Nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction, facilities and equipment were used. The program has been given full certification, which means that every area that SUNY Delhi offers in Automotive Technology is now certified for a period of five years, after which it will be reviewed to ensure that it continues to meet industry standards.
The Master Level ensures that Delhi students will have completed more than 1,000 hours of classroom and lab activities upon graduation. Within the State University, Delhi is one of two NATEF/ASE certified colleges at the Master Level.
"This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents," said Donald Seyfer, NATEF Chair. "Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that SUNY Delhi’s graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by SUNY Delhi, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the workforce."
Upon completion of the evaluation, NATEF recommended that SUNY Delhi be accredited by The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE is a national non-profit organization which tests and certifies repair technicians, in addition to accrediting automotive training programs.
"Our course offerings go beyond what NATEF requires," said Steve Tucker, associate professor of SUNY Delhi’s automotive program. "We’ve recently added an alternative fuels and hybrid technology curriculum, which allows students to successfully work on various high voltage electrical automotive systems."
Students proceed directly to employment in an automotive service capacity following graduation. Graduates are qualified for employment in independent repair shops, service departments of automotive dealerships, service stations, federal and state government agencies, taxicab and automotive leasing companies, corporate fleets, franchise facilities and with automobile manufacturers.
Registration for the Fall 2013 semester is currently open. Contact SUNY Delhi Enrollment Services at 1-800-96-DELHI or visit www.delhi.edu for more details.
