FORD LAUNCHES TECHNICIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS IN THREE NEW LOCATIONS, EXPANDS CURRICULUM TO ADD BEV COURSES
- Three new Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) programs are launching at select community colleges and technical schools across the nation
- To better serve Ford’s BEV customers, ASSET is integrating new learning for electric vehicles including high voltage safety systems, hybrid vehicle and BEV component diagnostics and repair, and an introductory course on high voltage battery service
- Ford ASSET is recognized as a premier program in the global automotive industry for the training and placement of new manufacturer-specific service technicians
Dearborn, Mich., June 6, 2022 – Ford is expanding the curriculum and adding locations to its premier training program designed to add more specially trained automotive technicians to a fast-growing field that now includes electric vehicles.
The initiative, known as Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET), is a collaboration between Ford Motor Company, Ford and Lincoln dealers and select community colleges and technical schools. The program provides Ford and Lincoln dealerships and their customers with technicians highly trained in Ford service technologies and diagnostic & repair methods.
Three new Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) programs are starting this year at the following community colleges:
- Pima Community College, Tucson AZ
- Wake Technical College, Raleigh, NC
- Gwinnett Technical College, Lawrenceville, GA
Also, ASSET will be incorporating Ford EV curriculum including courses on High Voltage Systems Safety, Hybrid Vehicle Components and Operation, Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Components and Operation and an introduction to High Voltage Battery Service, as well as a Ford instructor-led class on Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Operation and Diagnosis. Ford has provided 25 PHEV or BEV vehicles to ASSET locations, so students receive hands-on training.
“The ASSET program puts these kids in in the classroom and then in the stall applying it. To me getting those two at the same time is going to give a dealer better technician retention and the student a better understanding of the information,” says Josh Fichter, General Manager, Five Star Ford in North Richland Hills, Texas. Adds Fichter, “It also breeds loyalty because if you’re not proactively growing your own technicians right now, you’re going to be in a world of hurt.”
Ford is also adding a Mobile Service Technician Certification to the ASSET curriculum. This program is a pathway for students that may be sponsored at one of the 300+ dealers in the U.S. currently operating Mobile Service Fleets. The Mobile Service Technician Certification pathway enhances students Maintenance and Light Repair aptitudes early in the program timeline, on their way to becoming more comfortable with larger repairs, working to become an A-level technician and ASSET graduate.
“My experience with ASSET been great,” says Josh Lilley, an ASSET student at Five Star Ford in Dallas, Texas. “As far back as I can remember, I’ve been tinkering on my dad’s first-generation Bronco. I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone pursuing an automotive career at the dealership. It’s such a great program, especially if you don’t know anything, they’ll sit you down and help you grow those skills. I learned a lot more than I ever thought I would need or know.”
Over a two-year period, an ASSET student can earn up to 100% of Ford’s Service Technician Specialty Training (STST) credentials, earn an associate degree in Automotive Technology, and have one-year of work experience at a Ford or Lincoln dealership. ASSET graduates also can achieve Ford's High Voltage Systems Certification, in addition to the 12 certifications the program already offers.
Since 1985, more than 12,000 students have graduated from the ASSET program with1800 Ford and Lincoln dealers participating as sponsors. The ASSET program is one of three post-secondary Ford-sponsored automotive training programs through New Ford Tech, an initiative within the company aimed at supporting and growing a solid pool of qualified automotive repair technicians to help meet increasing demand. Learn more at www.newfordtech.com.
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*Survey conducted on behalf of Ford Pro by PSB, a modern global research insights consultancy, in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany among 1,250 corporate fleet decision makers from Dec. 14-23, 2021.
**Ford Pro Charging depot software subscription and Ford Telematics subscription required. Chargers must conform to Open Charge Point Protocol 1.6-J industry standard and be internet-connected. Ford Telematics requires modem activation or plug-in device purchase and activation for non-Ford electric vehicles. Ford Pro Charging depot software, Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services are subscription service subject to agreement to Ford Smart Mobility terms and conditions. Subscription subject to monthly charge. Subject to OFAC and credit check for subscription eligibility. Connected service and features, and access to vehicle and charger data depend on subscription and compatible cellular network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle and charger capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.
†Eligible vehicles receive a complimentary three-year trial of E-Telematics services that begins on the new vehicle warranty start date. Requires modem activation. Terms and conditions apply. Telematics service and features, and access to vehicle data depend on compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features. After the three-year trial, annual service contract is required for E-Telematics service. Go to Fordpro.com or call 833.811.3673 to activate E-Telematics service.
*Available on vehicles with embedded modem or equipped with plug-in device (PID). Requires modem activation. Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services are subscription services subject to agreement to FSM terms and conditions. Subscription subject to monthly charge. Subject to OFAC and credit check for subscription eligibility. Connected service and features, and access to vehicle data depend on subscription and compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.
**Disclaimer - Based on original equipment manufacturers(OEM)/automotive manufacturers that sell all-electric vehicles and have publicly announced charging networks. Department of Energy data used. FordPass, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.
***Available on vehicles with embedded modem or equipped with approved plug-in device (PID). May require modem activation. Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services require a purchased subscription. Terms and conditions apply. Telematics service and features, and access to vehicle data depend on subscription and compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent operation of connected features.
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Note: IHS Markit global vehicle registrations are compiled from government and other sources and capture 95 percent of global new vehicle volumes in more than 80 countries. Sports cars, as defined by IHS Markit, include all vehicles in the IHS Markit Global Sports Car segment. Mustang is America’s best-selling sports car over the last 50 years, based on Ford analysis of 1966-2018 total U.S. new vehicle cumulative registrations for all sports car segments supplied by IHS Markit.
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