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Auto Technician

Demand for vehicle technicians in Wisconsin continues to grow in an industry already experiencing shortages of skilled workers. An estimated 10.9 percent more auto technicians will be needed in Wisconsin by 2014.

Representatives of Wisconsin auto and truck dealerships and independent repair facilities helped develop a Youth Apprenticeship Program to meet the demand for highly skilled automotive technicians. This program is aligned with the National Automotive Service Excellence skill standards, and can be locally operated in conjunction with the national Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES) program.

Work-Based Requirements

Industry mentors are trained to teach youth apprentices the skills and knowledge needed to find entry level employment as automotive technicians.

Youth apprentices rotate through training areas at the worksite(See Skills Standards Checklist ) and take related classroom instruction at the local high school, technical college or at the worksite.

The Auto Technician program has two options available. The one-year option includes two semesters of classroom instruction which support a minimum of 450 work hours. The two-year option includes four semesters of classroom instruction, which support 900 work hours.

Related Instruction Requirements

The competencies the student learns are required by the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF), Automotive Technicians of Wisconsin and AYES.

Auto Servicing
Observation of business operations, performance of vehicle inspections and maintenance.
Electrical/Electronic Systems
Maintenance per manufacturers schedules and electrical/electronic repair or component replacement.
Suspension and Steering
Performance of suspension and steering system service, repair and component replacement.
Engine Performance
Service, repair and component replacement necessary to maintain engine performance and control vehicle emission.
Brake Systems
Diagnosis of power assist and anti-lock brake systems.

Skill Certificate and Advanced Standing

After successful completion of the requirements for a high school diploma and the school-based and work-based requirements for Youth Apprenticeship, the students receive a Certificate of Occupational Proficiency from the Department of Workforce Development. Students who complete the two-year Automotive Technician Youth Apprenticeship are eligible to receive advanced standing credits from a Wisconsin Technical College that offers an Automotive Technology related associate degree program, and may be eligible for ASE certification.

Downloadable Documents:

Skills Standards Checklist
Order Form from Dept. of Administration Document Sales Unit

Additional Links:

Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES)

Updated August 11, 2008
Content Contact: DWD Staff


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