What is NATEF certification?

An independent, non-profit organization, NATEF founded in 1893, has as its single purpose: the assessment of technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry and the recommendation of qualifying programs for accreditation by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

The NATEF process has been able to conduct certified automotive training programs in all fifty states at the secondary and post-secondary levels. NATEF also evaluates the providers of in-service technician training programs, under a program known as Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE).

ASE is the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, which is a non-profit organization established in 1972 to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the testing and certification of automotive repair technicians. The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) was formed as a non-profit entity. The primary mission of the NATEF is to enhance the quality of technician training programs nationwide, by means of voluntary certification. NATEF is responsible for the program evaluation process, and it also makes recommendations for ASE program certification, based on that evaluation. The Departments of Education in all 50 U.S. states support ASE certification of automotive programs.

The motor vehicle repair industry has taken on a new technical requirement. You must be computer literate and should have undertaken advanced technical training.

It's essential for today's automotive technicians to possess:

1. Thorough knowledge of automotive systems and components
2. Good computer skills
3. Excellent communication skills
4. Above average mechanical aptitude
5. Good reasoning ability
6. Ability to read and follow instructions
7. Manual dexterity

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, jobs as automotive service professionals will be plentiful for persons who finish training programs in high school, vocational or technical school, or community college.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) offers certification for technician training programs in order to assist vocational educators in enlisting, coaching, and preparing the technicians of tomorrow. The goal of the automotive technician training certification program is to strengthen the quality of training that is offered at secondary and post-secondary, public schools.

The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) decides whether a program is worthy of ASE certification. NATEF was started to provide development opportunities for prospective automotive technicians, as well as improved education and support. NATEF looks at the structure and resources of training programs, and judges them against nationally accepted standards of quality. NATEF's precise national standards mirror the skills that students must learn and master. Certifying ASE through NATEF evaluation, makes sure that certified training programs meet or exceed industry-recognized standards of excellence.

Benefits: Certification of an automotive training program brings with it program credibility, prestige, recognition, and a general overall program improvement. Everyone, including students, future employers, schools, and the automotive service industry, can benefit from the certification process.
Program certification benefits are:

1. * For schools, program certification: Raises funding resources from the public and corporate sectors. Uses demonstrated excellence to recruit students.
2. * For students: Identifies programs which meet national standards and provide current, complete, and applicable training.
3. * For employers: Develops a pool of quality entry-level technicians. Builds corporate involvement with schools.
4. * For the automotive service industry: Teaches respect for automotive service careers. Utilizes the Program Certification Process Program
Self-Evaluation to develop professional managers. Group members evaluate the program according to national standards and are able to improve it before submitting the evaluation documents to NATEF.

NATEF Review - NATEF reviews the self-evaluation materials to decide if the program is qualified for an on team evaluation.

Evaluation on site - If the program is fit, an an Evaluation Team Leader (ETL), a trainer qualified from ASE and coached by NATEF, is given an assignment and site visit is planned.

Certification Recommendation- The program will become certified for 5 years after the industry requirements are met.