Thanks to ACE (Automotive Career Exploration), a Ford partnership program
Apple Ford Apple Valley in Apple Valley, Minnesota, donated a 2023 Ford F-150 TREMOR to the Automotive Service Technology (AUST) program at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC). Scott Roberts, Apple Autos fixed operations director, and Shawn Moorhead, Apple Ford Apple Valley service director, visited the DCTC campus in Rosemount, Minnesota, Tuesday morning, September 24, 2024, and presented the donated pickup truck in the AUST program area.
Scott Roberts
“We’re happy to provide this opportunity,” Scott Roberts said. “Having been a tech myself, I can’t overstate how important it is to have access to new vehicles and new technology. The experience and knowledge they will gain is indispensable. I’m excited for the current technicians in the program and the ones to come.”
DCTC attendees at the presentation included Michael Berndt, president, Mike Mendez, vice president of academic affairs, Courtney Kuntz, dean of transportation, construction, and manufacturing, and AUST faculty, Jeff Copeland, Scott Anderson, Matt Boudinot, Crist Siebenaler, and Elizabeth Hoffmeister.
Courtney Kuntz
“We are incredibly grateful to Apple Ford Apple Valley and Ford Motor Company for this generous donation,” Courtney Kuntz said. “The 2023 F-150 TREMOR will be an invaluable tool for our students, offering them hands-on experience with the latest in automotive technology.”
Courtney added that the DCTC and Ford partnership exemplifies the kind of industry collaboration that makes the college’s Automotive Service Technology program thrive.
“The partnership not only enhances our curriculum, but also strengthens the connection between education and the workforce, preparing our students for successful careers in the automotive industry,” Courtney said. “We look forward to many years of learning and innovation with this vehicle.”
Story behind the donation…
In 2016, Ford began piloting a partnership program called Ford ACE (Automotive Career Exploration) that helps connect Ford and Lincoln Dealerships with their local high school and college CTE programs while offering access to factory-level training and certifications to students and instructors.
Since 2016, Ford has connected and provided this training access to more than 1,500 college and high school programs. Through these relationships, Ford Motor Company has identified a great need for newer vehicles and technology within these Automotive Technology programs.
While efforts have been made to identify donations, in 2023 a new process has been implemented by Ford Motor Company with the help and support of local Ford and Lincoln dealerships. Vehicles that are damaged while in-transit are inspected, and depending on the level of damage, these vehicles are either repaired, or they are sent to scrap as a total loss.
Ford ACE Program
Ford Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) is a partnership program between Ford Motor Company, Ford/Lincoln dealerships, and secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.
The intent of the program is to raise awareness and increase interest in career opportunities within the automotive industry, ultimately as a service technician. There are no fees to educational institutions to participate in the Ford ACE program. The only requirement for a school to participate is to be sponsored by a local Ford/Lincoln dealership.
LEARN MORE…
Story behind the donation continued…
When vehicle damages are determined to exceed a predetermined threshold to be sent to scrap, they are made available for donation prior to being sent to scrap. Many of these vehicles may have superficial damages, but still run and drive.
Dealerships that sponsor a school utilizing the ACE program can then offer to pay transportation costs and make repairs to these vehicles to ensure they are safe and secure for students to learn on.
Through this process, Apple Ford Apple Valley has been able to secure a 2023 F-150 that had complicated electrical issues leading to the decision for scrap. Apple Ford worked with Ford Engineering to diagnose and repair these issues, and we are excited to offer this vehicle to DCTC for their students to learn on for many years to come.
Apple Ford TREMOR to AUST donation gallery
View more event photos by visiting the DCTC Flickr album:
Apple Ford Donates 2023 Ford F-150 TREMOR to Automotive Service Technology Program
More about Apple Autos…
Apple Autos is a 7-brand, 7-location automotive dealership in the Twin Cities. Home of the Best Price Policy and 7-Day Money Back Guarantee, our philosophy has always been to put people first. Since we opened our doors in 1993, we’ve made it our mission to rewrite the script on car dealerships.
It’s easy to say we care about the community, but we prove it, not just in the thousands we give back, but in simple community events our customers and locals look forward to! You don’t have to buy a car with us to know we care.
Apple Autos Walks the Walk when it comes to community. Our values aren’t just letters on a wall, they’re woven into our DNA as a company. Without our community and people, we don’t exist!
Learn more about Apple Autos…
Learn more about the Automotive Service Technology program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about the Automotive Service Technology program…
Automotive Service Technology (AUST) is a high-demand program:
APPLY EARLYContact DCTC Admissions for more information.
Automotive technicians are skilled professionals who accurately diagnose mechanical problems related to engine, transmission, fuel injection, suspension, HVAC, and electrical systems.
As a student in the program, you will learn to maintain and repair engine, chassis, drive train, front-wheel drive, fuel injection, hybrid/electric drive, electrical, and emission systems. Instruction involves classroom theory, demonstrations, computer applications, and hands-on car repair.
The curriculum follows standards defined by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, ensuring all training meets the highest professional standards of the automotive industry.
As a graduate of the program, you will be able to work for independent repair facilities and dealerships in various automotive service positions.
Automotive Service Technology A.A.S. Degree — 72 credits
Location: On campus
Course delivery: Daytime classes
Start: Fall semester or spring semester, full-time
Automotive Service Technology DatasheetAccreditation
The Automotive Service Technology (AUST) program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation.
Tuesday Info Session Requirement
All students applying for this program are REQUIRED to RSVP for and attend a Tuesday Info Session. Sessions are now available both virtually and in-person.
Learn more and RSVP…
Student Internship Requirement
All students applying for this program are required to obtain an internship in a full-service automotive facility beginning fall semester 2024.
Learn more about the AUST Internship Program…
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles.
Reported job titles
- Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech)
- Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic)
- Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech)
- Automotive Technician (Auto Tech)
- Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech)
- Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech)
- Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician)
- Mechanic
- Quick Service Technician (Quick Service Tech)
- Service Technician (Service Tech)
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $49,290
10 percent of workers earn $35,950 or less
10 percent of workers earn $77,310 or moreUnited States
Workers on average earn $47,770
10 percent of workers earn $30,600 or less
10 percent of workers earn $77,630 or more2023 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Visit O*NET OnLine for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics comprehensive information on the following topics:
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Technology SkillsOccupational Requirements
Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work ContextExperience Requirements
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Training & Credentials
Apprenticeship OpportunitiesWorker Requirements
Skills
Knowledge
EducationWorker Characteristics
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Work Values
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Job Openings on the WebSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
