Automotive Service Technology

The road to opportunity starts here...

Simply put, automotive technicians are some of the most sought-after skilled workers today – which is precisely why we created the Audi Education Partnership (AEP).

The road to becoming an Expert Level Audi-Certified Technician begins with the AEP. If you’re planning to enroll or are currently enrolled in an accredited technical school or college, you can complete the AEP program requirements alongside normal coursework through self-paced, online training modules.

After completing the online modules, you’ll apply for an apprenticeship with an Audi dealership. Once employed, over the next 18 months, you’ll attend eight (8) weeks of Audi-specific classroom training that will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to work on the most exciting vehicles in the world.

When you’re not in class, you’ll be working at the dealership alongside experienced technicians who are ready to show you the ropes. The best part? You’ll start earning a paycheck – and locking down your first job – while you train.

Ford Automotive Career Exploration 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.

The Genesis Technician Student Academy (GTSA) collaboration with DCTC and Genesis dealerships is aimed at creating foundational partnerships and addressing the technician shortages. Through the program, students will have access to Genesis specific online training curriculum and brand immersion. Students will also have access to recruiting with local Genesis Dealerships for internships or employment.

Hyundai Motor America’s collaboration with DCTC and Hyundai dealerships is aimed at creating foundational partnerships and addressing the technician shortages. Through the program, students will have access to Hyundai specific online training curriculum and brand immersion. Students will also have access to recruiting with local Hyundai Dealerships for internships or employment.

Dakota County Technical College provides all students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program access to the Mercedes-Benz Campus program. Through this program, students will have access to some of the same training taken by Mercedes-Benz Technicians. Students will have the opportunity to start the process of becoming a Mercedes-Benz Registered Technician. While in the program, students will receive basic to intermediate technical training from campus instructors. Students who are selected for employment by area Mercedes-Benz dealers will gain industry experience through an internship.

Dakota County Technical College provides all students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program access to the Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP) Local program. Mopar CAP LOCAL schools have a set curriculum designed and developed by FCA. The curriculum includes a variety of self-study web-based courses and the Mopar CAP LOCAL curriculum covers levels 0 and 1. Work study is a primary component of Mopar CAP LOCAL. You will alternate between attending classes and working at a nearby CJDR dealership. This gives you a chance to apply what you have learned in class in a real-world setting with experienced Technicians. Upon completion of the Mopar CAP LOCAL program, you will have the training, the on-the-job experience and the hands-on know-how that dealerships look for when hiring new Technicians.

Dakota County Technical College provides all students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program access to the Subaru Knowledge, Information & Learning program. By infusing Subaru's Web-Based Training (WBT) into the existing curriculum, students have the ability to take most of the entry-level training that is required of all Subaru technicians. Students at participating Subaru-U partner schools can gain valuable knowledge of Subaru vehicle systems that can better prepare them for possible employment in any one of approximately 600 Subaru retailers nationwide.

Toyota is excited to announce the all new Technician Education College Support (TECS) program. TECS is designed to supplement your existing curriculum and help students interested in a career with Lexus or Toyota to gain a "head start" in their training.

TECS is available to post-secondary automotive programs as well as secondary automotive programs. However, it is limited to participants 16 years and older. Students who complete the eLearning modules will qualify to become a Lexus Certified Technician or a Toyota Maintenance Level Certified Technician.

Dakota County Technical College provides all students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program access to the Volkswagen Academy Certification Resource Center for non-dealer learners. Students will have access to Volkswagen web-based training. These courses are elective and intended for learners who desire to increase their knowledge and skills in additional areas of interest. Training that is completed on this site can be transferred to a hiring Volkswagen dealer.