Students prepare to earn big bucks with local automotive program

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If you’re an automotive enthusiast, you need to check out the Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence—a world-class training program at Lawson State. Read on to discover how this program will put you on a fast track to a successful career and how to apply today.

The only automotive center for automotive excellence in the state

The automotive industry is one of the world’s largest, and it’s filled with job opportunities that can teach you new skills, offer competitive wages and benefits and more.

Fun fact: The Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence (ACAE) at Lawson State in Birmingham is the only one of its kind in the state, with a total of 146 students enrolled this year.

Here are the top things to know about the ACAE program:

• It’s a world-class training program.
• Its goal is to train and place certified technicians in their new careers.
• It allows many students to receive on-campus instruction and paid on-the-job work through sponsoring dealerships like Mercedes Benz.

Want to be part of the Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence training program at Lawson State? Apply now.

ACAE programs offered

From engine repair and vehicle restoration to insight on how to keep the business and automotive industry moving, the ACAE program at Lawson State offers an expansive list of things to learn and ways to grow your skills.

Here’s a look at ACAE’s programs and what you’ll learn in each:

1. Auto Body/Collision Repair

• Students receive instruction and training in the following:
  • Structural + nonstructural analysis and repair
  • Surface and paint preparation + equipment
  • Glass + trim cutting
  • Mechanical + electrical components

2. Automotive Mechanics

• Gain hands-on experience.
• Learn to diagnose + repair problems in engines, drive trains, brakes, electrical systems, suspensions + transmission systems on all makes + models of vehicles with an emphasis on MOPAR (motor/parts). Vehicles include: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram + Fiat.

*This program prepares students for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.

3. Medium/Heavy Truck Technician

• Learn how to help keep business and industry moving by diagnosing and repairing diesel engines, heavy trucks + equipment.

*This program prepares students for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification.

4. Automotive Service Technology—Ford ASSET, GM ASEP + Toyota T-TEN

• Receive the technical competence and professionalism expected of an incoming dealership technician.
• Rotate between on-campus instruction with paid on-the-job work through sponsoring dealerships.

5. Automotive Service Technology—Mercedes Tech (sponsored by Mercedes Benz)

• Receive the technical competence and professionalism expected of an off-line automotive service technician at a manufacturing facility.
• Rotate between on-campus instruction with paid on-the-job work at the MBUSI assembly plant in Vance, AL.

Student success in ACAE program

Before investing time and money into any college program, it’s important to know what kind of success students have experienced. 

Dr. Joye Jones Dean of Career Technical Education and Workforce Development at Lawson State told us most students are employed before completing an ACAE program.

Many graduates of ACAE programs have gone on to be successful technicians in a number of areas, including:

• Dealerships
• Repair shops
• Truck + bus companies
• Manufacturing facilities

“Some of the programs’ graduates have even come back to Lawson State after years of work experience in the industry and are now instructors in the program.”

Dr. Joye Jones, Dean of Career Technical Education + Workforce Development, Lawson State

It’s easy to apply to ACAE

Can’t wait to apply to the ACAE program at Lawson State? 

Students must meet the follow requirements:

• Have a high school diploma or GED.
• Submit an admission application to Lawson State.
• Students enrolling in the Ford ASSET, GM ASEP or Toyota T-TEN must have a sponsoring dealership. *Program instructors can assist students needing help locating a sponsoring dealer. 
• To be admitted to the Mercedes Tech program, students must first apply on the MBUSI website. 

Lawson State also encourages potential students to visit the ACAE programs, speak with the instructors and see the facilities to gain a better understanding of the program’s requirements. 

Interested in the Alabama Center for Automotive Excellence at Lawson State? Apply to the program today.

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