Tying State Funding to Industry-Based Program Quality Review
Policy Rationale and Goals:
To meet the needs for more technically trained and computer
literate technicians in the increasingly sophisticated 
automotive repair industry, Ohio has combined its vocational education efforts with that of two nonprofit organizations from the automotive repair industry: ASE and NATEF.
ASE is the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, a nonprofit
organization established in 1972 to improve the quality of vehicle repair and
service. At the heart of ASE efforts is a voluntary system of testing and
certification of automotive repair technicians. The ASE program is complemented
by the efforts of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, or
NATEF, a separate nonprofit foundation within ASE whose mission is to improve
the quality of automotive technician training programs nationwide through
voluntary program certification. NATEF offers four areas of certification: [1] Automobile, [2] Collision Repair and Refinishing, [3] Light/Medium Duty
Compressed Natural Gas/Liquified Petroleum Gas, and [4] Medium/Heavy Truck.
NATEF's responsibilities include oversight of the program evaluation process
and making recommendations for ASE program certification. (NATEFWeb site) In an
effort to expand program certification nationwide, NATEF works with state
departments of education. Over the years, a partnership with the Ohio
Department of Education has resulted in strict program certification
requirements that are tied to state funding of secondary and postsecondary
automotive programs.
Implementation Strategy: According to an official with the Ohio Department of Vocational and Adult Education, about nine years ago a new policy was put into place requiring that all automotive programs be certified by NATEF. Programs were given five years to comply with the policy. According to Carl Workman, regional supervisor, Ohio Department of Vocational and Adult Training, currently, all programs must meet NATEF program certification requirements to receive state funding. Today, 100% of Ohio's 127 secondary Auto Tech programs are ASE certified, along with the state's full-time postsecondary programs.
In addition, Ohio has added requirements above and beyond the NATEF conditions for certification. To receive state funding, all of the program's instructors must be ASE certified, and the program must meet two additional "required areas" to become certified. For instance, Automobile Training Programs must apply for certification in at least the four following areas: [1]brakes, [2] electrical/electronic systems, [3] engine performance, and [4] suspension and steering. In Ohio, these programs must also apply for certification in at least two of the following optional areas: automatic transmission and transaxle, engine repair, heating and air conditioning, or manual drive train/axles.
The NATEF program certification process begins with an extensive self-evaluation performed by a team of training program instructors, administrators, and advisory committee members. The self-evaluation process allows these individuals to compare their program to national standards, to make improvements if necessary, and to prepare for the next step: NATEF review. This step consists of a review of the self-evaluation and a recommendation about whether the program qualifies for an "on site" evaluation. The on site evaluation is conducted by the Evaluation Team Leader, an educator certified by ASE and trained by NATEF. When a program is determined to be ready for a site visit, NATEF contacts the Ohio Department of Vocational and Adult Education to assign the Evaluation Team Leader.
The last step is a recommendation for certification, which signals that the program has met industry requirements and is certified for a period of five years. Although programs are not reviewed during this five-year period, they must submit a report at the halfway point, two and a half years into the certification. This requirement serves to keep NATEF informed about the program, but is primarily for keeping programs on track for the review process that will occur after five years.
Evolution of Strategy: Because automotive programs were given several years to comply with the department's new policy that tied funding to program certification, once the system was put in place, there has been essentially little change in the state's implementation strategy. Because NATEF and ASE have received the sanction of industry and are well respected in the field, their process is completely respected by the Department. They feel that industry-based support lends credibility to the process which, in turn, "raises the bar" at the local level. According to an official from the Ohio Department of Vocational and Adult Education, "instructors wanted to improve programs," and though there was some initial "balking" about the new requirements, instructors eventually saw how the process could improve both instruction and the reputation of their programs among students. Auto Tech programs are better able to attract students who are more serious about their future in the automotive repair industry. In part due to the success of the NATEF program certification model, Ohio has endorsed other industry-led skill certification processes requiring programs to use standards from the printing industry (PIA) and the machine trades (NIMS). Building trades standards will be piloted this year.
Outcomes: According to the NATEF Web site, "certification of an automotive training program brings with it program credibility, prestige, recognition, and overall program improvement." The process is intended to benefit schools, students, future employers, and the automotive service industry. There is little funding available at the state level for tracking students in Auto Tech programs and evaluating the implementation of NATEF program certification across the state. Instead, Ohio has chosen to focus the efforts of state level staff on technical assistance to local programs.
In addition, NATEF reports that repair technicians will need a variety of skills to compete in the increasingly technical and technologically advanced repair industry. Traditional automotive skills such as a thorough knowledge of automotive systems and components, mechanical aptitude, and manual dexterity continue to be critical in this industry; however, with the introduction of computer-based systems and other technological advances, technicians also need to be able to use a computer, communicate well with others, and be able to read and follow directions. Jobs in the automotive repair industry will be plentiful for those finishing training programs in high school, vocational technical schools, or community college, especially for those programs that meet or exceed its industry-recognized, uniform standards of excellence. Through tying state funding to industry-based program certification, Ohio demonstrates its financial commitment and confidence in an industry-endorsed process, two critical components for developing a national industry-based skill standards system.
National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) web site. Available on-line: <http://www.natef.org/about/index.htm>.
