THE AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM SHOULD HAVE CLEARLY STATED PROGRAM GOALS, RELATED TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED IN THE AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM MUST BE OF THE TYPE AND QUALITY FOUND IN THE REPAIR INDUSTRY AND MUST ALSO BE THE TYPE NEEDED TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO MEET THE PROGRAM GOALS AND PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES.

​​​​​​​8.1 SAFETY                                                                                     

Equipment and tools used in the training program must have all shields, guards, and other safety devices in place, operable, and used.  Safety glasses must be worn by all students, instructors, and visitors in the lab/shop area while lab is in session.

A. All shields, guards, and other safety devices must be in place, operable, and used? (GO/NO GO REQUIREMENT) All shields, guards, and other safety devices are properly stored, fully operational and used appropriately by students and staff.  An instructor will be able to show evidence of these on display within the autos classroom for inspection. 

B. All students, instructors, and visitors must comply with safety practices and wear safety glasses in the lab/shop area while lab is in session? (GO/NO GO REQUIREMENT) 

The evaluation team will conduct a visual inspection. 

8.2 QUANTITY AND QUALITY 

The tools and equipment used in the training program should reflect the program goals and performance objectives.  Sufficient tools and equipment should be available for the training offered.  The tools and equipment should meet industry quality standards.

A. Provide a copy of the tool inventory with location and/or photos.

B. Describe how you have sufficient tools and equipment needed for efficient and effective instruction: Multiple sets of tools are available for class grouping.  Funding is provided each year to ensure tools are in good working condition.  Grants are also available if additional tools need to be purchased based on class size and demand.

The evaluation team will conduct a visual inspection of class size vs tool inventory and inspect the tools and equipment used to meet industry quality standards.

8.3 CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES                                

Sufficient consumable supplies should be readily available to assure continuous instruction.

​​​​​​​ A. Describe the process to maintain the supply of consumable supplies to assure continuous instruction: Autos has a working budget used to obtain most supplies such as floormats/seat covers, towels/wipes, etc.  When vehicle maintenance is requested, it is up to the customer to purchase supplies such as oil, windshield wipers, brakes, etc.  A small supply of additional materials are available if needed in the auto shop.  When supplies are needed, the instructor notifies their Department chair and his/her administrative assistant to complete the purchasing.  

The evaluation team will conduct a visual inspection. Provide inventory sheets and/or describe replenishment procedure.

8.4 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE                

A preventive maintenance schedule should be used to minimize equipment down-time.

​​​​​​​ A. Link the use of a preventive maintenance schedule to minimize equipment down time: Equipment is inspected by the instructor on a daily basis as well as a more in-depth, comprehensive check annually. The Autos Instructor ensures equipment is functioning properly as equipment is used. 

Provide a copy of the preventive maintenance schedule or spreadsheet. See example document in Resources section of ASE Education Foundation website.

8.5 REPLACEMENT  

An annual review process should be used to maintain up-to-date tools and equipment at industry and safety standards. Graduate follow-up surveys and Advisory Committee input should be used in this process.

​​​​​​​ A. Describe the use of an annual review process, including the use of graduate follow-up information to maintain up-to-date tools and equipment at industry and safety standards: An informal survey is done in Advisory Meetings.  This allows industry workers and former students to provide input on relative tools needed as well as supply equipment/tools suggestions to better meet the ever-changing industry standards.

8.6 TOOL INVENTORY AND DISTRIBUTION  

An inventory system should be used to account for tools, equipment, parts, and supplies.

A. Describe the use of an inventory system to account for tools, equipment, parts, supplies and the process of disbursing tools to students: A visual, rolling inventory to ensure each tool is accounted for is completed by the instructor at the end of each class period.  This also allows the instructor to note any consumables used so that they can be ordered and replaced as soon as possible.  

8.7 PARTS PURCHASING 

A systematic parts purchasing system should be in place.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ A. Describe the systematic process for parts purchasing: When parts are needed, the instructor works with his/her Department Chair and Administrative Assistant for purchasing.  The instructor also has access to a purchasing card when specific items are needed.  In those cases, the instructor has purchasing power.

B.  Rate the efficiency of acquiring parts for task performance: Acquiring most parts is fairly immediate.  Online purchases are made as soon as the instructor alerts his administrative assistant.  The instructor also has the ability to go to an auto parts store for classroom materials.  Some larger purchases may require a Purchase Order.  In those cases, the items are typically received within a few weeks.

The evaluation team may discuss this issue with instructor.

8.8 HAND TOOLS 

Each student should have access to basic hand tools comparable to tools required for employment.  Students should be encouraged to purchase a hand tool set during the period of instruction.

​​​​​​​ A. Describe the availability of hand tools for students’ use during lab/shop instruction, comparable to the tools that will be required for employment: Hand tools are readily available to the students to use during lab/instruction.  All hand tools recommended by the ASE are in the shop for student use. As tools change/evolve, those are also purchased and added to the tool inventory.  

Provide an inventory. The evaluation team will conduct a visual inspection. 

B. Describe how students are encouraged to purchase a hand tool set (during the period of instruction) which is appropriate to the level in which they are being trained: All Auto class levels are encouraged to purchase a hand tool set.  They are given online access/industry pricing to SnapOn to purchase hand tool sets and any other supply they may need for their training/industry.  Students are also made aware that a technician must have their own tools when transitioning into the industry.  Instructors go over possible tool lists in the instance that students are planning to move on to advanced training after high school.

Explain policy and provide information available for students detailing recommended tool list and vendor visits. The use of the SnapOn website is encouraged. The instructor also provides recommendations for tools based on his knowledge and experience.