The Butte College Automotive Program provides it's students with a quality, NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) certified automotive training program. The program gives the student the basic skills needed to start a career in the automotive industry and encourages the life-long learning needed to succeed in the workforce.
The Butte College Automotive Technology Program has two NATEF Certified programs. One is the American Honda PACT program. The PACT program is a partnership with American Honda and Butte College in which the students area of study is centered on Honda and Acura vehicles. The CORE program is also NATEF certified but rather than concentrating the studies on a specific manufacturer, the CORE program covers all makes and models. In Fall 2017 we introduced our partnership with Subaru and now offer a second factory alternative for our students. We look forward to Fall 2018 in which we roll out our newest edition, Diesel Technology. This program will cover light and medium duty over the road diesel powered vehicles. Successful completers of our program offer the automotive industry a technician who can perform their job description at or above entry level technician.
High Voltage Battery Pack Module (SWF Funds)
Due to the addition of the Alternative Fuel class, more training aids were needed. The battery pack allowed more controlled student exposure to the safety and service procedures for hybrid cars and trucks.
The automotive industry’s adoption of use of the new refrigerant R1234yf is requiring the use of new equipment to service the air conditioning systems of cars and trucks. This will require the use of new equipment to identify, recover, recycle and recharge the new systems.
The purchase of the machine and scale allows our students to stay current with industry standards and practices.
The ability to convey the refrigeration cycle to students in a lecture setting is so important to their understanding of an operating AC system. Even with flash animation and static PowerPoint slides, it is difficult to understand the change of state of the refrigerant in the different components of the system.
There are two basic AC systems used today in mobile applications, Fixed Orifice Tube and Thermostatic Expansion Valve Systems (TXV). These two system do operate differently with dissimilar components and now that the department has an TXV trainer, students can compair and contrast the differences between the two.
DuraMax Diesel Training Aid (Perkins Funding)
With the start of the Diesel Technology Program, students will need to see the differences between the Diesel Powerplants. With the addition of the DurMax we now have 2/3rds of the most common powerplants on the road.
Constant voltage battery chargers (Perkins)
These battery chargers meet the requirements for the 2014 model year and up static charging needs and will meet the requirements for diesel vehicles.
To improve the students understanding of the working differences between Duo Servo Vs. Leading Trailing type brake drum systems the department concluded that we need to make the following changes.
The expected time line would be to procure trainers and changing the lab assignments during the fall 18 semester. During the spring 19 semester include all planned changes.
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2012FA |
64.74% |
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2013FA |
59.07% |
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2014FA |
69.29% |
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2015FA |
71.49% |
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2016FA |
73.48% |
The Automotive Department supports the college in meeting its Strategic Direction and Priorities by striving to deliver curriculum that is timely and valuable to students who are just entering the automotive industry and incumbent workers. By offering classes that keep up with changes in industry and offering classes that help incumbent workers with the certification training needed to maintain licensure. To create connections with the K-12 schools, our program reaches out to local schools providing articulation opportunities for schools with viable auto programs. We also venture to the Sacramento/Roseville area to provide those high schools students the opportunity to participate in the Honda PACT and Subaru programs. Along with outreach, we have adjusted our scheduling in an attempt to decrease the time to complete the program and address the wait list our program historically has. This strategic accelerated scheduling should help with completion and retention.
IMPLEMENTED RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED
With the passage of Measure J and the implementation of the new Diesel Technology lab and Program, the department needs to concentrate on maintaining our tradition of quality instruction and foster the growth of both the Diesel Program and our new partnership with Subaru.
Strategy 1 - Support Industry Partner Coordinator
Impliment an Industry Partner Cordinator
Our partnerships with American Honda and Subaru annually donate over $150,000 in training aids and curriculum to the Automotive Department. Those partnerships provide a career pathway for students wanting to work in a Honda, Acura or Subaru dealerships. To maintain these partnerships, create and maintain relationships with employers and support the students transition from school to the workforce an Industy Patner Cooridnator is needed. The cooidnator must visit the students and service managers in our service areas that include Redding in the north and Davis to the south. The cooridnator must also insure the currency of faculty and cooridnate factory training as needed. The department asks for the developement of the position and reassign time for the Industry Partner Cordinator be 20% and the stipend of $6,622.12 become part of the annual Automotive budget.
Strategy 2 - Increase Haz-Mat disposal budget
Fund increase in hazardous waste disposal fees
In order to improve and meet all new EPA and California Standards and operate a fifty percent larger automotive facility, an increase in the program’s annual operating expenses budget is needed by $8,000 yearly. There has been no increase in the last eight years and operating expenses continue to go up. Price quotes from companies that provide EPA and Hazardous waste handling services that will bring the new facility up to current requirements have been received to validate this request. We will be able to keep our California Green Station status intact and maintain a facility that is a sustainable, environmentally sound showcase for our students and local industry.
Strategy 3 - Diesel Technology Program
Foster and Grow the Diesel Technology Program
Over the last 5 years the department has changed a lot. It moved to the Skyway Center, implemented an Accelerated Schedule, developed and launched an Alternative Fuel Vehicle component, and added Subaru as a factory partnership. Fall 2018 marks the launch of our Diesel Technology program and with that launch comes high expectations form our program and Administration. Growth has been the goal but that must shift to nurturing our new program and maintaining the classes we currently offer. To do this we must support the new hire and foster new partnerships with employers in the areas of diesel transportation and equipment.
Strategy 4 - Increase Department Chair to Chair II
Increase Department Chair to level II.
The last program review in 2014 recommended that the Department Chair be increased from its current level. In the years that followed, the program has grown with the addition of the Alternative Fuels class and its instructor, a partnership with Subaru of America and now the Diesel Program. With all that the Chair is still teaching in overload, responsible for the Subaru partnership and mentoring the new instructors. Additional reassign time is needed to perform the duties expected to the level that is expected by the college. The department asks the chair position be increased to Chair II.
Strategy 5 - Maintain a Professional Looking Facility
Replace flooring in classrooms and lab.
Flooring in the classrooms were "value engineered" during the remodel of the Skyway Center. Paint was applied to the floors and it is now peeling up creating a very unsightly and unprofessional look. In the shop area the floors were sealed but the slip hazard that comes with the work being preformed has never been addressed. The department would like a non-slip sealant added to the shop floors and flooring added to the classrooms to eliminate the peeling paint.
Strategy 6 - Facility Support
Secretarial and Custodial support for the Skyway Center
The addition of the Diesel Technology Lab and after-hours utilization of the Skyway Center has increased the load on the existing staff. To coordinate room usage, 3-4 staff members in different areas need to be contacted to verify availability. There is no support staff for the instructors using the facility after 5 and custodial staff is split between the Chico Center and the Skyway Center. The Auto Department needs on sight secretarial support. The Facility needs janitorial support. Without each, the facility and programs will suffer.
Strategy 7 - Lab Assistants
Lab assistants for Diesel and Gasoline Labs
A reoccurring theme in all of the instructor’s reviews is the lack of instructional support in the labs. Students need guidance as they work in the labs for both safety and learning. Having 2 lab assistants that rotated between the labs would help maximize student learning and success and provide a pathway for fulltime employment when spots become open.
Strategy 8 - Funding for Skills USA
Funding is needed to cover membership and competitin fees for Skills USA
In 2014 the Automotive Department competed for the first time in the Skills USA competition. The quality of our students and program revealed it’s self as we sent a student to the Skills USA National Competition our first year. Since then, we have competed each year, sweeping the top 5 places in State competition and placing in the top 20 in the nation. Partial funding for the Skills USA club has come from donations made by industry partners but as the club grows to areas of study outside of automotive, so do the costs. These competitions provide opportunities beyond Butte College for the students. In the last two years an Automotive Technology student has been awarded a full ride scholarship for BMW North America. Annual travel and operating costs are estimated at $20,000. All he organizing and guidence has fallen on 1 automotive faculty member. Along wth funding for competition expenses, we ask that and additional $5000 stipend be awarded to the leader of the Skills USA Club.
Meet with industry partners to acquire training aids equipment needed for the Diesel Technology Lab.
CAP Program
Strong Work Force (SWF)
Perkins
2017/2018 American Honda Contributions:
General Motors
Subaru of America
| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Automotive Technology | Personnel | 110005161094800 | 51240 | $0.00 | $218,000.00 |
| 2 Full Time Faculty Members | To increase FTES and accommodate the expansion of the Automotive Program, 2 full time faculty member will be needed. This will allow for the implementation of the Diesel Program and help reduce faculty overload. |
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| 2 | Automotive | Equipment | $3,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Computer for new faculty hire | The program will add a new fulltime faculty for the Diesel Class. A computer will be needed. |
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| 3 | Automotive Technology | Personnel | 110005161094800 | 51240 | $0.00 | $71,269.00 |
| On-Site Secretarial Support (Sec II) | The automotive programs functions on an island. In the past, secretarial support was located on main campus but the secretary would visit our facility 2 times a week providing support. With her retirement, secretarial support is now located at the Chico Center. While geographically it the Chico Center is “close” we are forced to travel back and forth several times a day. This is lost time. Our program asks a lot of our secretarial staff. With the proposed expansion of the Skyway Center, an on-site secretary could not only provide the support needed in the automotive program but also scheduling of the rooms at the Skyway Center and support other programs located in the facility. |
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| 4 | Automotive | Personnel | $0.00 | $59,291.00 | ||
| Custodial Support | Currently custodial support is split between the Chico Center and the Skyway Center. Now that the Skyway Center's utilization has increased and will facilitate the Diesel program, full time custodial support is needed to maintain the facility. |
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| 5 | Automotive | Personnel | $0.00 | $63,995.00 | ||
| Lab Assistants for Diesel Lab | A reoccurring theme in all of the instructor’s reviews is the lack of instructional support in the labs. Students need guidance as they work in the labs for both safety and learning. Having 2 lab assistants that rotated between the labs would help maximize student learning and success and provide a pathway for fulltime employment when spots become open. |
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| 6 | Automotive | Personnel | 110005161094800 | 51240 | $0.00 | $6,787.00 |
| Maintain reassign time and stipend for Industry Partner Coordinator | American Honda Subaru of America, our industry partners, continue to ask more of our program regarding student tracking and recruitment. These increasing demands facilitated the need have a full time instructor dedicating their time strictly to the PACT Program. The responsibilities of the coordinator are much like that of the department chair and include travel to dealerships monthly during the semester and travels in and out of state during breaks. Allocating 20% reassign time and a $6000 stipend would allow for time to grow our partnerships. |
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| 7 | Automotive | Operating Expenses | $0.00 | $1,775.00 | ||
| Increase position to Chair II | The last program review in 2014 recommended that the Department Chair be increased from its current level. In the years that followed, the program has grown with the addition of the Alternative Fuels class and its instructor, a partnership with Subaru of America and now the Diesel Program. With all that the Chair is still teaching in overload, responsible for the Subaru partnership and mentoring the new instructors. Additional reassign time is needed to perform the duties expected to the level that is expected by the college. The department asks the chair position be increased to Chair II. |
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| 8 | Automotive | Operating Expenses | 110005161094800 | 55100 | $0.00 | $22,500.00 |
| Skills USA Operational costs | In 2014 the Automotive Department competed for the first time in the Skills USA competition. The quality of our students and program revealed it’s self as we sent a student to the Skills USA National Competition our first year. Since then, we have competed each year, sweeping the top 5 places in State competition and placing in the top 20 in the nation. Partial funding for the Skills USA club has come from donations made by industry partners but as the club grows to areas of study outside of automotive, so do the costs. These competitions provide opportunities beyond Butte College for the students. In the last three years an Automotive Technology student has been awarded a full ride scholarship for BMW North America. Annual travel and operating costs are estimated at $20,000. Along with funding the cost of competition, we ask for a $5000 yearly stipend for the leader of the Skills USA club as the planning and coordination takes countless hours a year. |
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| 9 | Automotive | Facilities | 110005161094800 | 130000 | $13,952.00 | $0.00 |
| Eliminate slip hazzard in shop and classrooms | Tiling the lab and lecture room floors with Autostone floor tile will alleviate a slip hazard problem that occurs when oil and water mix on the floor surface. After four years of operation at the Skyway Center, the floors are now becoming saturated with petroleum products and are slippery when wet. This slip hazard will put the district at risk and should be alleviated. $118,856 includes lab floor and hallway, $20,664 for the floors in the classrooms. |
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| 10 | AUtomotive | Facilities | $300,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Restripe South Lot | Parking continues to be a concern at the Skyway Center and the challenges grow as utilization of the Skyway Center increases. To provide a better flow and eliminate the loss of half the lot due to securing the fleet cars after 5:00pm, moving the fence and restriping the lot will help mitigate some of the parking challenges. |
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| 11 | Automotive | Facilities | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | ||
| Paint Interior Walls | Per our contract with industry partners, one class room should be dedicated to the respective program and represent its colors. Due to heavy year round utilization, the original paint is getting soiled. The program need to paint SC128 with Honda PACT colors and SC112 with Subaru USA colors. |
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| 12 | Automotive | Facilities | 110005161094800 | 55100 | $0.00 | $8,000.00 |
| Increase Health & Safety Compliance Fees | In order to meet current EPA and California Standards that come with operating a fifty percent larger automotive facility, a yearly $8,000 increase in the program’s annual operating expenses budget is needed. There has been no increase in the last nine years. With the addition of the Alternative Fuel class in Fall 2015, class Class 0 gloves must be used while servicing the high voltage systems in hybrid cars. Those gloves must be inspected off site every 6 months. That alone raised our annual budget by $2000 yearly. Price quotes from companies that provide EPA and Hazardous waste handling services that bring the new facility up to current requirements have been received to validate this request. We want to be able to keep our California Green Station status, maintain a facility that is a sustainable, environmentally sound, and be an example for our students and local industry. |
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