FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC STUDENTS PASS NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE EVALUATIONS

DANVILLE, VA, July 18, 2007 – Eight Danville Community College students achieved passing scores on four

 core National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) End-of-Program tests. They are Thomas Beale, Jr., Herman Dickerson, Steven Gunnell, Daniel Lamonica and James Wright, all of Danville; Joshua Franklin and Ian Smith, both of Martinsville; and Robert Collie, Yanceyville, NC.

The students received certificates for passing a minimum of four main categories: Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, and Suspension and Steering. The students were also evaluated on topics such as Automotive Transmission and Transaxle, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, and Manual Drive Train and Axles.

“By implementing the NATEF End-of-Program test series, we can evaluate our students to see how well they absorbed knowledge,” says Danny Rakes, Associate Professor of Automotive Analysis and Repair. “When most of the students who take the test pass, it tells us that our automotive program is on the right track.”

Not only is it satisfying to gauge students’ understanding of course material, Rakes says that NATEF evaluation also helps certify DCC’s Automotive Analysis and Repair training program through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

“These tests (NATEF) are very thorough and challenging and are about the same as the ASE exam that certifies technicians,” he explains. “A high percentage of professionals fail the ASE exam. This says a lot about our students who passed. If they pass the NATEF tests, they can pass the ASE one too.”

Joshua Franklin, who recently graduated, notes that DCC’s Automotive Analysis and Repair diploma program has prepared him for tests and his career.

“The tests were difficult,” says Franklin, who is now working as an automotive technician, “but like other tests, if you know the subject, it’s not that bad.”

James Wright adds that there are many employment opportunities in the automotive field and that he is sure he will land a good job when he graduates this fall.

 “I made a good choice when I enrolled in DCC’s automotive program,” says Wright. “I feel that I’ve learned a lot and look forward to finding a good job.”

Herman Dickerson, who also recently graduated, credits the hands-on experience and quality education at DCC for helping him and the other students pass the tests.

“The automotive program is great because we have a lot of equipment to work with,” says Dickerson, who took automotive dual enrollment courses at George Washington High School. DCC dual enrollment classes, offered throughout the service region, provide college credit for high school students.

Professor Rakes says students in the program also acquire theoretical and practical experience in emission control servicing, power train servicing, front-end alignment, computerized fuel systems, electrical system diagnostics, and many other jobs. Possible employment opportunities for graduates include titles such as Automotive Technician, Auto Parts Counter Clerk, Diagnostician, Automotive Machinist, Service Manager, Automotive Dealer and Service Representative.

 “I’m very proud of the students for passing the exam,” Rakes adds. “It shows that the automotive program is creating well trained technicians for today’s cars and tomorrow’s cars.”

For more information about the Automotive Analysis and Repair program, contact the Division of Business and Engineering Technologies at 434.797.8440; toll free: 800.560.4291, ext. 8440; or click here.