Career & Tech's Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair program earns national NATEF/ASE certification; is only high school-level course in NYS to do so

Only two other truck repair programs in state, both at colleges, are certified

The Medium/Heavy Truck Repair program at the Capital Region Career & Technical School, Albany campus, earned formal certification in July by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF)/National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). 

Taught by Sam Frink, a NATEF/ASE-certified truck and automotive technician and NY- and Massachusetts-certified career and technical education teacher, Career & Tech's Medium/Heavy Truck Repair program is the only NATEF/ASE-certified secondary (high school) truck repair program in New York and is one of only three such certified programs in the state. 

The state's only other NATEF/ASE-certified truck repair programs are at the State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred and at New York Automotive & Diesel Institute in Long Island City. Nationwide, a total of 51 truck repair programs have earned certification. 

Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair is a two-year program at the Capital Region Career & Technical School that is offered to high school and adult students. Career & Tech's Automotive Trades, Automotive Tech Prep, AYES Automotive Technician and Auto Body Refinishing programs also have earned NATEF/ASE certification.

To become NATEF/ASE-certified, programs and their teachers must pass through a rigorous process that evaluates their curriculum, structure and resources and meet or exceed industry-recognized, uniform standards of excellence. NATEF was founded in 1983 as an independent, non-profit organization with a mission to evaluate and enhance technician training programs and ensure that students master skills and knowledge required in the industry today. 

Career & Tech's Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair program recently earned recognition when student Gilbert Zabel of Feura Bush won the New York SkillsUSA competition in diesel mechanics in April, outperforming his peers from across the state, In June, Zabel placed eighth out of 40 at the national SkillsUSA competition in Kansas City. In the fall he will continue his education in college; three-quarters of the students completing the program in 2005 planned on continuing their education at college, technical schools or specialized training programs. 

Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair students learn about diesel technology, engine and clutch fundamentals, hydraulic systems, suspension and steering, air and hydraulic brakes, electrical and electronics systems, preventive maintenance, integrated science and integrated English. Students also may earn credits at SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Morrisville. Such early credits enable them to enter college in advanced standing.

In addition, Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair students gain valuable, real-world experience through internships, cooperative work agreements and after-school and summer employment at local businesses.

In fall 2005, Career & Tech's Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair students will embark on a national-grant-funded study of truck and bus engine oil from the Golub Corp./Price Chopper and CDTA using the latest analytical equipment and scientific methods.

Students completing Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Repair at Career & Tech are in demand by local employers. They are prepared for careers as diesel engine technicians, auto/bus/truck technicians, fleet technicians, dealership technicians, heavy equipment technicians, or service managers. 

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