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Advanced Career Education Center at Highland Springs

Automotive Technology

Automotive Technology

A person works on the wheel alignment of a black car lifted in an auto repair shop.

    • Automotive Technologies - Course No. 8506
    • Automotive Technologies - Course No. 8507

    • ASE Entry-Level Certifications
      • Engine Repair
      • Steering and Suspension
      • Brakes
      • Maintenance Light Repair
      • Electrical
      • Automatic Transmission
      • Engine Performance
      • Manual Transmission
      • Heating and Air Conditioning

  • The automotive technology courses were designed to prepare students for careers in the automotive industry. Through this course, students receive education and training on a variety of topics. This course touches on many competencies from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation’s (NATEF’s) Maintenance and Light Repair accredited program. Students are provided instruction in all systems as they prepare for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Student Certification. The first year will focus on learning and practicing: Shop Safety, Chemical Awareness, Tool Identification and Usage, General Service and Maintenance on all aspects of the automobile through all eight ASE/NATEF areas. This course will provide a foundation for future automotive courses on-line, in dealerships, and in the classroom as well as post-secondary technical training centers.

    • Some field trips the class offers include visiting automotive shops, dealerships, car shows, and NHRA drag races.
    • Students will learn on state of the art equipment that is currently being used by auto body professionals in the industry.
    • Students will have the opportunity to work on their own vehicles.
    • The class partners with many local shops and dealerships and has received many donations ranging from tools to automobiles.

A headshot of a man with short dark hair and a mustache, wearing a light-colored button-down shirt, patterned tie, and red lanyard.

About the Instructor

Prior to becoming a teacher here at the ACE Center, I was an automotive technician for 27 years. For 24 of those years, I worked at a dealership, and for the other three years, I worked at Carmax. I have always had a love and passion for motor sports but decided to be a teacher in order to share my knowledge of the automotive industry with students. I hope to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this industry.

Questions? Email me: klhedgespeth

A technician in a garage uses a red tire changing machine to work on a car wheel.

A person in a grey shirt demonstrates equipment to two people in a workshop.