National and State Certifications
The Automotive Technology program at SUN Area Technical Institute is a state-of-the-art automotive training facility that prepares high school students for the advancing technology in the automotive industry. Students are trained in braking and ABS, steering and suspension, electrical, computerized wheel alignment, engine repair, computerized engine controls and air conditioning systems. In addition to the training, students receive NATEF, S/P2 safety, PA state inspection, and MACS air conditioning certifications.
NATEF, or National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, is closely associated with ASE, or Automotive Service Excellence. NATEF is an organization that provides current training standards to automotive program based on what is occurring in the automotive industry. SUN's Automotive Technology Program is NATEF certified meaning the program has passed the rigorous reviews and certification processes set forth by NATEF. This certification allows the program to train, test and certify students. This NATEF certification provides employers with evidence that the student has been properly trained in addition to giving the student 6 months experience credit towards ASE certification.
S/P2, or Safety and Pollution Prevention, is an extensive online course completed by the student which teaches all aspects of safe automotive facility working practices as well as proper handling and disposal of items and chemicals that are a threat to the environment. Upon completion of the course and testing, the student receives two certifications, mechanical safety and mechanical pollution prevention. This informs employers and their insurance companies that these new hires are properly trained in safety and pollution prevention.
Upon passing the 12 hour state inspection course given the the program, the student will receive a PA State Inspection license. This license allows the student to then perform safety inspections on cars and light trucks in any certified inspection station.
MACS, or Mobile Air Conditioning Society, is an organization that trains and licenses mobile air conditioning technicians. After completion of air conditioning training and the MACS air conditioning course, students test and then are certified in the proper handling and service of mobile air conditioning systems.
SUN Tech's Automotive Technology program strives to give students the best training available. In order for employers to have confidence in new hires from SUN, the Automotive Technology program backs up its training with the above certifications and licenses.
Student Industry Certifications
Below is list of certifications available to students who complete this program:
- Automotive Service Excellence Certification (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation)
- Certified Safety Inspector, Cat I (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation)
- Heartsaver AED (American Heart Association)
- S/P2 (S/P2)
- Section 609 Certification for Refrigerant Recycling and Recovery (Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide)