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Automotive Trades

Bradley Smith, Chair
Phone : 607-587-3133
Administrative Assistant Phone : 607-587-3117
Email : smithbp@alfredstate.edu

Today, more than ever, the highly skilled automotive service technician has an increasingly important role in the efficient operation of our society. The four automotive trades areas offered by the Automotive Trades Department—automotive service technician; heavy equipment, truck & diesel technician; autobody repair; and motorsports technology—prepare technicians for the ever-expanding and highly specialized trade industry.

All programs meet stringent national standards. The automotive service technician program is master certified by the National Automotive Training Educational Foundation (NATEF); the autobody repair program is Inter-Industry Conference on Automotive Collision Repair (ICAR) certified; and the heavy equipment, truck & diesel technician program is ADS affiliated, and we are a National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium training center. Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification and NYS inspection exams are offered on campus as well.

Hands-on experience pays off for graduates entering the working world. Read testimonials from some of our Automotive Trades Department alumni.

MISSION

Provide instruction and practical, hands-on experience, to students interested in a variety of automotive trades, including automotive service, autobody repair, truck and diesel service, and motorsports. The education acquired will prepare the student for entry-level employment. Students will be provided opportunities to maximize their individual potential and achieve a level of competence adequate to enter the automotive field and maintain gainful employment. In addition to hands-on skills, attitudes will be developed that will help enforce sound judgment, good work habits, planning and foresight, ingenuity, efficiency, and safety as they apply to the duties and skills of the trade. We will nurture an appreciation of and a desire for craftsmanship and professionalism. We will strive to instill positive attitudes of community and leadership that will carry beyond the workplace and help our students to live productively and successfully in today’s society.

FACILITIES

• Autobody facility – This facility on the Wellsville campus contains down-draft bake-paint booths, paint mixing room, frame-straightening machines, computerized estimating, and computerized measuring systems.
• Automotive service facilities – These buildings, located on the Wellsville campus, contain the latest equipment, including computerized front-end aligners, brake equipment, computerized engine analyzers, automatic transmission dynamometer and computer specification and service information terminals in all shops.
• Heavy equipment, truck & diesel facility – This facility, located on the Wellsville campus, is equipped with: specialized fuel injection overhauling and test lab; engine rebuilding equipment; multispeed transmission and rear axle repair area; engine tune-up area containing computer-operated late model diesel engines; handheld diagnostic scanners; and computerized specifications and service information systems.
• Motorsports facility – Students perform extensive hands-on work in a newly remodeled, newly equipped facility located in the village of Alfred. First-year courses are taught at the School of Applied Technology campus in Wellsville.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

It is essential that students in this degree program are able to participate fully and safely, with or without reasonable accommodation, in all classroom and laboratory experiences required for completion of the program.  Students in this degree program should be able to:

1. Lift 50 pounds to industry standard automotive lift height
2. Effectively communicate with a person six (6) to ten (10) feet away.
3. Visually decipher small images on a monitor or digital display.
4. Distinguish sounds associated with mechanical failures.
5. Comprehend written information found in service repair resources.
6. Possess a valid motor vehicle driver's license.
7. Function in a safe manner, not placing themselves, faculty, staff, other students, or property in jeopardy.
8. Appropriately and safely use standard laboratory equipment, materials, and instrumentation to include possession of fine motor skills and mobility.

REQUIRED TOOLS/EQUIPMENT

A list of required tools, equipment, PPE, etc. for all of the programs mentioned above can be found at: www.alfredstate.edu/tool-lists.

DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS

Autobody Repair (AOS)
Automotive Service Technician (AOS)
Heavy Equipment, Truck & Diesel Technician (AOS)
Motorsports Technology (AOS)

MULTIMEDIA LINKS

DEPARTMENT TOUR VIDEO