Lenoir Community College has expanded it’s horizons by creating two new programs of study in the Automotive Technology area - Automotive Customizing and Automotive Management.

Automotive Customizing is a perfect marriage between Automotive Systems Technology and Autobody Repair, according to Dean of Business and Industry Programs Gary Clements.

LCC has been offering these classes on a limited basis since the spring semester of 2007. The program will be in full swing starting in the fall semester. The college is currently the only college in the state offering the program.

The program is designed to provide individuals with the competencies needed to work in the automotive mechanical and/or auto body repair industry as an entry-level technician. The course work includes research and application of information on specific components of a wide range of vehicles such as brake systems, electrical systems, steering and suspension systems, paint and refinishing, non-structural damage, machine processes, and related systems.

Graduates of the curriculum should qualify for entry-level employment opportunities in the automotive mechanical and/or auto body repair industry. The program will limit student enrollment to 16 students per class so it will be important to enroll early, according to lead instructor John Barnes.

For more information contact Barnes at 527-6223, ext 603 or email him at jbarnes@lenoircc.edu.

The second program added is the Automotive Management program. As with Automotive Customizing, LCC is the only college in the state currently offering this new program. This program will be offered primarily online.
The first class to run in the series will be AUM 110 History of Auto Industry. The program is designed to provide individuals with the principles and procedures involved in managing an automotive facility. The course work includes processes and tasks required to manage an efficient automotive organization, history of and trends affecting the automotive industry, and compliance with government regulations.
Graduates of the curriculum should qualify for employment opportunities in various management positions within the automotive industry.

For more information about this program contact Clements at 527-6223, ext 612 or email him at gclements@lenoircc.edu.

Clements said the automotive industry offers a myriad of opportunity for employment. "Most people when they think of jobs associated with the automotive industry generally think of automotive technicians. These employment opportunities are generally stable and will not migrate to other countries," he said. "Successful employees in this industry may earn on average of $32,500 annually as an entry-level technician. However, this industry has many other opportunities such as parts counter sales, service advisor, car salesman, parts distribution, manufacturing, and management positions just to name a few. LCC offers educational training to address some of the previous mentioned jobs."

The LCC Automotive Systems Technology program prepares individuals for employment as Automotive Service Technicians. It provides an introduction to automotive careers and increases student awareness of the challenges associated with this fast and ever-changing field. Classroom and lab experiences integrate technical and academic course work. Emphasis is placed on theory, servicing and operation of brakes, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, steering/suspension, automatic transmission/transaxles, engine repair, climate control, and manual drive trains.

Upon completion of this curriculum, students should be prepared to take the ASE exams and be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and independent repair shops in the automotive service industry.
For more information on this program of study contact Program Head Chris Jenkins at 527-6223, ext 110 or email him at cjenkins@lenoircc.edu.