by Dennis Madden
Knowledge is gained in many ways - Starting in November, experience really does count.
by Cheryl Nicholson
There may not be the paper to prove it but professional technicians and rebuilders in the transmission repair and service industry have spent years perfecting the trade. The knowledge gained through extra hours spent on weekends and evenings attending seminars and training sessions, plus the everyday research and hands-on training can now be applied towards earning credits needed for a college diploma or degree. One important first step in helping technicians earn the recognition and respect they deserve and so very much need for the automotive industry.
Through an innovative and, never before offered, nationwide proficiency testing program developed by the University of Northwestern Ohio and their partnership with ATRA and the ATRA Education Foundation, technicians can realize the dream of obtaining a college degree in months instead of years. Starting in November of this year, two day testing sites will be available throughout the United States. Anyone currently working in the industry with the knowledge and skills can test through and obtain credit for up to 40 hours of course credit that can be immediately applied to their degree. The full amount of credit available for courses needed for a degree would take almost a year and a half of full time study to obtain in a traditional educational environment.
A tough one-day written test will follow with a full day of "hands-on" testing administered by the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI). NOCTI is an organization that provides competency testing for various industries including the automotive industry.
Additional general education courses needed for diplomas and degrees are currently available online through the University. Online technical courses, supported by members of the industry serving as mentors and proctors, will be available, if all goes according to plan, in March of 2001.
Courses required for the diploma and degree are listed on page six and the proposed availability dates for the technical online courses are listed on page seven of this issue of GEARS. For additional information on the proficiency testing, online technical training, or diploma and degree program, visit the ATRA or University of Northwestern Ohio booths at TRANSMISSIONS 2000, visit our web site at www.atra-gears-com or the University of Northwestern Ohio at www2.NC.EDU, or contact ATRA at 604-2026, email cheryl@atra-gears.com.
University of Northwestern Ohio Diploma and Degree Tracks for the ATRA Education Foundation Distance Education Program
Technical requirements to earn a powertrain diploma
Additional technical courses required to earn a powertrain associate degree
General education courses required for a powertrain diploma
Additional general education courses required to earn a powertrain associate degree
Academic Schedule for ATRA Education Foundation Distance Education Diploma Program
General Education and Business Courses
People interested in enrolling in the ATRA Powertrain diploma program may begin the general education and business courses as early as the fall quarter of 2000 or any quarter the courses are offered. Course offerings are listed on the University's web-site (www2.NC.EDU/Virtcol) approximately four weeks prior to the beginning of the quarter.
Technical Courses
Technical courses included in the ATRA Eduation Foundation Powertrain diploma will be offered as follows.
March 26 - May 3, 2001 AU123 Electrical and Electronics I
May 7 - June 14, 2001 AU128 Electrical and Electornics II
June 25 - August 1, 2001 AU117 Automatic Transmissions
August 20 - September 27, 2001 AU116 Manual Drive Trains and Axles
October 1 - November 8, 2001 AU130 Automotive Engine
Performance
November 13 - December 20, 2001 AU132 Computerized Engine Control
Systems
January 2 - February 7, 2002 AT216 Automatic Transmissions II
NOCTI Testing Schedule 2001
The University will conduct the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) testing on the following dates. Exact locations will be determined at a later date.
Date: Place:
November 10 and 11 University Campus
January 12 and 13 California
February 9 and 10 Dallas, Texas
March 9 and 10 Atlanta area, Georgia
Registration and payment for the NOCTI must be received by the University on or before the dates indicated below.
Test Date: Registration Date:
November 10 and 11 October 10
January 12 and 13 December 12
February 9 and 10 January 10
March 9 and 10 February 9
School's In
by Dennis Madden
September, the month that many think of as the start of the new school year. This September offers a new opportunity for me, as well as many other technicians: The opportunity to go back to school. I graduated from high school in 1976. At the time, there wasn't much in the way of college courses that had my interest in mind; fixing cars. Back then I had a 1968 GTO and muscle cars were really in. There wasn't a lot of tech involved in fixing the cars of the day. It was mostly fun, and interesting.
As the years went by I often thought about returning to school. Sure, I could take a math or English class, but there still wasn't a lot that had to do about cars. And worse yet, most of the good classes were held during the day.
Now, with the advent of the internet, more things are changing that just an easy way to check your bank balance. Now you can go back to school, during the day or night, and at your own pace.
ATRA has formed a new association, "The ATRA Education Foundation". This new foundation, in cooperation with the University of Northwestern Ohio will provide transmission technicians with varying levels of education, a from Diploma certificate, all the way to a Bachelor's degree. And the best part is this learning comes to you right over the internet. Along with the E-learning you can acquire, there's hands-on learning at what's called a "mentor's" shop. These are ATRA members who have offered their shop for addition training, to reinforce the lessons learned on line.
This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to further their education. I'm already signed up for the first class of the new season. See you in class.
