Automotive Technician

1. Develop the knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of automotive related systems, components, terminology and acronyms.
2. Develop and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to the automotive repair industries expectations of performance.
3. Demonstrate the ability to utilize computer and non-computer based vehicle service information systems.
4. Use automotive tools, shop and test equipment, materials, and chemicals safely and effectively.
5. Develop critical and creative thinking processes required to effectively and efficiently diagnose and repair vehicle technical problems.

With more than 276,000,000 light-duty cars and trucks on the road in the United States alone, there will always be jobs for qualified technicians. One of the automotive technician’s most in-demand and valuable skills is the ability to make a quick and accurate problem diagnosis. This requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of light-duty vehicles and their systems. Good reasoning abilities and critical thinking along with the ability to locate and understand vehicle service information is also important.

Many technicians will perform a variety of repairs while others will seek additional training to specialize. Areas of specialization include the diagnosis and repair of engines or transmissions, electrical systems, driveability (fuel and ignition), air conditioning, suspension systems and wheel alignment. Due to the ever-increasing use of electronics and new technology in the vehicles of the future, the ability to adapt and continue learning will be very important.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

The Anoka Technical College Automotive program is nationally accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation through 4/1/2025.

ASE Education Foundation
101 Blue Seal Drive, S.E. Suite 101
Leesburg, VA 20175
www.aseeducation.org

Successful completion of the Automotive Technician diploma or instructor approval. 

Anoka Tech's state-of-the art Automotive Lab is equipped with current equipment, technology and tools. 

Take a virtual tour and review the lists below to get an idea of what it's like to be an Automotive Technician student at Anoka Tech.

Virtual Tour

Technology

Students have access to cutting-edge technology including:

• Analytical or scientific software: updateable software used in all of the scan tools and electronic four wheel alignment equipment 
• Electronic vehicle service information retrieval: AllData; Mitchell OnDemand 5; General Motors Electronic Service Information (ESI)
• Vehicle service and repair estimating software: Mitchell OnDemand 5

Tools

• Electrical and electronic diagnostic equipment: Digital Multi-Meters (DMM’s); General Motors’ Tech 1 and Tech 2 scan tools; Ford’s Next Generation Scan tool (NGS); Chrysler’s DRB-III scan tool; SPX/OTC
• Genisys scan tools; digital storage and live oscilloscopes; battery “capacitance testers”; battery, starter, and charging system testers; chassis ear electronic listening device; wheel balancing and four wheel alignment equipment; air conditioning refrigerant recovery; recycling and recharging stations
• Pressure indicators: fuel pressure testers; air conditioning manifold pressure gauges;intake manifold vacuum gauges; oil pressure gauges; tire pressure gauges
• Bearing pullers and presses: ball joint separators; bearing pullers; gear puller tools; slide hammers
• Specialty wrenches: alignment wrenches; chain wrenches; locking wrenches; lug wrenches
• Trim or molding tools: carbon scrapers; gasket scrapers; scrapers
• Precision measuring tools: feeler gauges; inside and outside micrometers; vernier calipers; depth gauges; small bore gauges; cylinder taper gauges; torque wrenches

Automotive Students are required to provide their own professional quality set of hand tools and have them available for lab use each day that they are at school.

These tools will eventually be required on the job as an automotive technician.

Tool List

MnTC General Education Requirements

This program requires completion of the following fifteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses:

Program Sequence

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Advanced Automotive Electronic Diagnostic Specialist

The Electronic Diagnostic Specialist program is intended to provide the successful Automotive Technician program graduate with additional knowledge and skills needed to accurately and cost effectively diagnose and repair the complex vehicle systems of today and tomorrow.