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. Successful completers of our program offer the automotive industry a technician who can perform their job description at or above entry level technician.
Replace automotive lifts that were deemed unsafe (Automotive Lift Institute standards) by inspectors and retrofit current exhaust system.
Lift Replacement: The original request included funds to repace at least 6 lifts that had high failure rates. After our annual lift inspection, a total of 12 lifts were deemed unsafe by ALI standards. Funds were used to replace the 12 lifts as instruction could not happen without them. Exhaust retrofit: The current exhaust evacuation system does not hold up to the demands of high speed testing done in the lab. The system retrofit will not only correct the current "burn through" condition but free up space in the center of the lab.
One Full-Time Faculty
The Automotive Department hired a new full-time faculty for Fall 2015. This faculty member developed an alternative fuel course which provides an alternative avenue for our students and workforce education.
The Automotive Program's Program Level Objectives are listed below. While the PLO's are broad, we choose to focus our attention on the Course Level Outcomes for each course as they all build toward the PLO's. That said, Fall 2015 marked the first time all of the Automotive Department instructors assessed each of their class at the end of the semester. Those “Reflections” were compiled to see if a common theme stood out. Of the 6 instructors in the department, text book challenges were a key part of 3 assessments. This was discussed in a department meeting and currently we are looking for other publishers to supply text books.
Automotive PLO's
Explain the principles of operation and maintenance required to repair all systems of the modern automobile. Safely and correctly maintain, diagnose and repair specific areas of the vehicle.
Course Level SLO for AUT 52 Assessed in Spring and Fall 2015 : Diagnose automatic transmission/transaxles problems.
Assessment Plan: I felt there was a disconnect between the lab objectives relating to vibration diagnosis and what I thought was being presented in lecture. Attached is the worksheet used to validate the lab objective. I will record the success of the students in SP15 and see if making adjustments in the "Key Notes" book related to vibration diagnosis will work or if the lab needs to be changed.
Assessment Results: Of the 20 students in the class, 8 needed more practice or guidance regarding the vibration lab.
Collective Dialogue: On October 2 the Automotive Department met to discuss the assessment results relating to vibration diagnosis. The department reviewed lecture presentations, Key Note documents and discussed how to achieve a better result.
Planned Improvements: I have modified the lecture presentation and overhauled the Key Notes relating to vibration diagnosis. I will reevaluate the results next semester. Attached it the modified Key Notes assignment.
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College |
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Program |
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Indicator |
Source |
2013-2014 Performance |
Standard |
Five Year Goal |
Fall 2014 Performance |
Standard |
Five Year Goal |
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Course Success |
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- Overall |
PDR |
71.1% |
70% |
73% |
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- Transfer/GE |
PDR |
71.5% |
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73% |
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- CTE |
PDR |
75% |
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77% |
69% |
62% |
73% |
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- Basic Skills |
PDR |
51.7% |
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55% |
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- Distance Ed (all) |
PDR |
62.5% |
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64% |
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Persistence (Focused). Note: The Persistence (Focused) that is included in the PDR is a different indicator than the three-primary term persistence indicator, from the state Student Success Scorecard, that is used to measure institutional persistence. The Focused Persistence indicator measures the percentage of students that took a second course in a discipline within one year. There is no relationship between the college and program standards in this area. |
PDR |
72.6% (Three-Term) Scorecard |
67% (Three-Term) Scorecard |
75% (Three-Term) Scorecard |
62.6% |
48% |
65% |
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Degrees |
PDR |
1,455 |
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1,600 |
12 |
7 |
15 |
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Certificates |
PDR |
366 |
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475 |
CA: 22 |
CA:15 |
CA: 30 |
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Developmental Strand Completion |
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- English |
State |
42% |
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45% |
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- Math |
State |
30.7% |
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33% |
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- ESL |
State |
25% |
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28% |
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Licensure Pass Rates |
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- Registered Nursing |
SC |
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- Licensed Vocational Nursing |
SC |
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- Respiratory Therapy |
SC |
100% |
80% |
100% |
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- Paramedic |
SC |
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- Cosmetology |
SC |
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- Welding |
SC |
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Job Placement Rates (Automotive Technology) |
PIV |
73% |
65% |
77% |
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Do Not Fill This Out
The Automotive Programs strategic direction is much like that of the college. We continue to work with and support local High School in both Butte and Glenn County. Our goal is to provide seamless matriculation from High School to a college vocational program. To help with student success and retention each student is followed through the program until completion. As the need for technicians increase in the industry, we work hard to see that students get a quality education in a timely manner. With that, we are working towards an "accelerated" schedule and developing the empty space in the Skyway Center to lessen the program's completion time.
IMPLEMENTED RECOMMENDATIONS
Increase Chair II to Chair III
The Validation Team strongly encourages the administration to re-evaluate the current Chair position assigned to the Automotive Department. The committee supports the increase from a Chair III to a Chair II. In the Spring 2016 semester, the Department Chair position changed and with that the Chair position was increased to a Chair III.Develop an Alternative Fuel Program
The validation team found that there was clear need to add an alternative fuels program to the curriculum. In Fall 2015, the program offered AUT60, Alternative Fuels Technology. The class was developed using CTEEF grant money and staffed by a new instructor to the Automotive Department.Additional Full Time Faculty
The validation team recommends hiring two full-time faculty who would reduce current overloads, allow for the department to offer an accelerated schedule reducing student’s time in the program from 2.5 semesters to 2 semesters, provide for additional student advising support, and allow for the incorporation of a full fledge alternative fuels program. This class could generate additional revenue if built in collaboration with Contract Education. In Fall 2015 one additional Full Time faculty member was added. While the new faculty member did allow for the addition of the Alternative Fuels class, overload was not significantly reduced. Another FT faculty in needed to reduce load and provide assistance in the various labs.Refine SLO Process
The automotive department has worked closely with the SLO Coordinator and has refined its processes to meet and exceed the expectations of the SLO Coordinator.RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED
Build out the 6000sqFt
The department is, and has been actively working on finding funds to build out the vacant space in the building to facilitate a lecture and lab area thus allowing the implementation of the Accelerated Schedule.Accelerated Schedule
The department has worked with the Scheduling Center on a schedule that would reduce the completion time of the program by one semester. The implementation of this schedule hinges on being able to build out the 6000sqFt to allow for multiple labs to be held at the same time.Hire Lab Assistant
A second FT instructor could be used to reduce overload and help as a Lab Assistant.
The Automotive Departments primary goal is to continue to deliver what we feel is the best automotive education in the state. The Automotive Program works hard to insure that our courses are relevant to both industry professionals and students seeking a career.
Strategy 1 - Support PACT Cordinator
Increased reasign time for Honda PACT Cordinator
Our partner, American Honda Motor, annually donates over $100,000 in training aids and curriculum to the Automotive Department. That partnership , PACT, provides a career pathway for students wanting to work in a Honda or Acura dealership. To maintain this partnership and support the students transition from school to the workforce, the PACT Coordinator must visit the students and service managers in our service are, Redding in the north to Davis in the south. The department asks the reassign time for the PACT Cordinator be increased to 25% and the stipend of $11,000 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 - Accelerated Schedule
Pursue Accelerated Scheduling
Currently, it takes a student 5 semesters to complete the Automotive Program. That does NOT include the minimum 1 semester wait while on the wait list. The combination of waiting to start and taking 5 semesters to complete, make for challenges in both completion and fill rates for classes. The automotive department has worked with scheduling to come up with a revised schedule that would allow for multiple entry points during the semester, shorten the completion time by one semester, and help with the wait list. This can increase FTE from 107.2 to 146.68 but more importantly will help increase completion rates.
Accelerated Scheduling can be facilitated with current staffing but will not reduce the challenges of instructors working overload. Accelerated schedule can’t be facilitated without the expansion of the program into the vacant area of the Skyway Center.
Strategy 4 - Full Time Faculty Hire
Additional Full-Time Instructional Staff
The Butte College Automotive Program continues to have a wait list for new students and its instructors all work overload. A solution to both challenges can be found with the expansion of the program and the implementation of “Accelerated Schedule”. Given both of those an additional instructor will lower the load on the staff and provide a faster completion time for our program students.
Strategy 5 - Clean Diesel Program
Develop a Comprehensive Alternative Fuels Program
With a new automotive innovation implemented every thirty-eight days; the industry is adopting new fuel strategies at incredible speed. Our automotive program needs to address this issue with additional information to our students. Today the industry is focused on Plug-in Electric, Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid and Clean Diesel technologies. Research shows that there are at least eight post-secondary automotive programs that are offering one or more sections of alternative fuels within their program.
Fall of 2015 marked the introduction of our first Alternative Fuels class. The class represents the start of what will be a certificate program but needs the inclusion of diesel technology. The automotive department has “made room” for the additional cars being used for the Alternative Fuels class but to continue with the Alternative Fuels Program, additional square footage will be needed. The implementation of “Accelerated Schedule” and the expansion of the Automotive Program into the vacant space in the Skyway Center will provide students and the workforce with current training needs.
Strategy 6 - Expansion of Automotive Technology Lab
Expansion of the Skyway Automotive Facilities
The Butte College Automotive Center located at the Skyway Center is a state-of-the-art automotive education facility. Unfortunately it only fulfilled the program needs of 2012 and does not allow the program to expand. Industry trends necessitated the development of the Alternative Fuels class and the program continues to struggle with loosing students while on the wait list. The Automotive department needs to expand and has no other option than to utilize the undeveloped area that still exist at the Skyway Center.
The automotive department proposes the development of the empty 6000 sq. ft. area located in the north side of the Skyway Center into an auto lab area with supporting class rooms. This area would give the auto program the flexibility to accommodate one more full time faculty, increase FTES by allowing the “Accelerated Schedule”, and provide room for volume of teaching aids that would be needed for an alternative fuels program.
The Skyway Center’s undeveloped space has received much attention regarding it’s potential use. While there is square footage that could accommodate multiple classrooms, the limited parking makes that and any other high traffic proposal not feasible. After 4 years in the facility, the only real option is the expansion of the Automotive Program.
Strategy 7 - Applied Academics
Applied Academics Stipend
Due to lack of instructors in the math department the Applied Academics class was put on hold for the SP15 semester. With the course in its 3rd year and marked success the automotive program was sad to see the class be taken off the books. That said, staffing in all three areas will need to change in FA2015. Due to the collaborative nature of the class it is important that the instructors meet outside of class to discuss and synchronize the curriculum. In the past, during the development of the class, stipends were paid out of Title III funds. Now that the Basic Skills Grant has sunset it is recommended that the related departments fund the following stipends for the first year (two semesters) for the new instructors.
Strategy 8 - Safety & Security
Address Skyway Center safety and security issues
Currently the floors of the Automotive Department on both the class rooms and lab are concrete. During the remodel the class rooms and halls were sealed with paint. Due to moisture in the concrete the paint used to seal the floors has bubbled and flaking off giving a less than professional appearance to the facility. The lab floors are bare smooth concrete and created a slip hazard in the winter months or when wet. To address this hazard and installing Autostone tile the lab and class rooms will cost $118,856 (2015 price).
The exposure of the Skyway Center to the public makes it a target for theft. Student bicycles have been stolen from the facility, transients have broken in and taken items from our storage “cage”, transients have broken in and fell asleep in our district vehicles. None of these occurrences have happened in front of the cameras on the South side of the building. The department asks that security cameras be installed on the North side of the building. Cost estimate as of 2015 $3500. Also to secure the department’s district vehicle, prevent transients from bathing in the wash bay, a gate needs to be installed. Cost is estimated at $2000.
Strategy 9 - Replace out dated VAT40 Testers
The department needs to update the VAT 40 electrical analyzers to meet current industry standards.
Currently AUT 6 and AUT 7 are using VAT 40 charging and starting system analyzers for lab diagnostic exercises. Service parts are no longer available for the testers and use outdated technology. To maintain currency in industry, address SLO reflections from FA2015 in the AUT 7 class, a onetime investment of $25000 is needed to purchase 5 new GR8 electrical system analyzers.
Strategy 10 - Add 1 additional tire machine
To help alleviate a “log jam” during the lab objectives in AUT 21 an additional tire machine is needed.
Tire replacement is an entry level skill that our students need to be successful in industry. Currently we 2 Tire Balancer Machines but only one Tire Machine. This creates a delay as our students try to complete their lab tasks. It also restricts their ability to get multiple opportunities to practice this skill. The department needs a onetime investment of $7450 to purchase a Hunter TCX51 Tire Machine.
Strategy 11 - Funding for NAFTC and Skills USA
Funding is needed to cover membership and competitin fees for Skills USA and NAFTC
With the implementation of the Alternative Fuels course, a membership in the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) is needed to stay current with the ever changing technology in the alternative fuel vehicle industry. Not only will this provide the department with the latest in curriculum, it will make the Butte College Automotive Department one of only 5 NAFTC training centers in California. The annual cost of membership is $2500.
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.
Accelerated Schedule
Modify our schedule so that we can decrease the completion time for our students and increase FTE for the Automotive Department.
Clean Diesel/Alternative Fuel Program
Continue development of our clean diesel program. Changes in the marketplace require the need for technicians to be trained on clean diesel technologies. Development of this program would give our students the entry level skills needed to procure employment in the field. We also intend to create a certificate program in alternative fuels and clean diesel technology; a second path way for our students.
CAP Program
Butte College houses the California Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) on a long-term lease which generates $12,000 annually.
American Honda
American Honda Contributions: Training Aids: $91,000, 2015/2016
Career Technical Education-Enhancement Fund Project
The Automotive department received $304,799 from the CTE Enhancement Fund and has used those monies to develop the alternative fuels class, purchase training aids, and enhance the offerings of the Automotive Department.
| 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 | Facilities | 110005161094800 | 56000 | $900,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Expansion of the Skyway Automotive Facility | The new Butte College Automotive Center located at the Skyway Center is a state of the art automotive education facility. Unfortunately it only fulfilled our program needs in its current state, not allowing the program to expand and accommodate our wait list or any expansion of curriculum. This will be needed to address new automotive technologies and a year round schedule. Butte Automotive is in a physical land lock situation with no other options other than to utilize the undeveloped area that still exist at the Skyway Center. The automotive department proposes the development of the empty 6000 sq. ft. area located in the north side of the Skyway Center into an auto lab area with supporting class rooms. This area would give the auto program more flexibility to accommodate one more full time faculty with teaching space and allow easer scheduling for a full time program. In working with the Scheduling Center to create a schedule that would speed up our student’s completion time and increase FTE, it is clear that expansion of the automotive lab area is need. This expansion is also needed to accommodate the Alternative Fuels class that was introduced in Fall 2015. With this new class, the training aids needed for lab objectives has reduced the current lab space shared by the programs courses. This proves to be a challenge as it slows down the completing time as our student’s work on lab objectives. Fall 2015 SLO reflections in two of three electrical classes, the prerequisite class for the program, both speak of less than expected completion outcomes for the students. It was discussed that the time of night the class is offered may contribute to the challenge. Having more lecture and lab space available could address this SLO. |
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| 2 | Automotive | Operating Expenses | 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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| 3 | Automotive | Personnel | 110005161094800 | 51240 | $0.00 | $9,000.00 |
| Increased reassign time for PACT Coordinator | American Honda, our industry partner, continues 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. Currently reassign time is at 20% with a $6000 stipend. The department would like to increase the reassign time to match that of the chair II position; 25% reassign time and $10000 yearly stipend. |
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| 4 | Automotive | Facilities | 110005161094800 | 56220 | $139,520.00 | $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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| 5 | Automotive | Facilities | 110005161094800 | 56410 | $6,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Security cameras to protect district assets | Pilfering of the recycle/garbage area and the “cage” continues to be a challenge with the transient population that lives on this campus. Valuable recyclable items have been taken form the facility along with damage to locks and gates. Bikes have been taken from the bike racks as well. To help deter this and assist with identifying the culprits, the department would like to install cameras on the North side of the shop. Cost to install cameras is $3500. |
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| 6 | Automotive | Equipment | 110005161094800 | 56410 | $25,000.00 | $0.00 |
| GR8 electrical system testers | Currently AUT 6 and AUT 7 are using VAT 40 charging and starting system analyzers for lab diagnostic exercises. Service parts are no longer available for the testers and use outdated technology. To maintain currency in industry, address SLO reflections from FA2015 in the AUT 7 class, support SLO A, B, and C in AUT 7, a onetime investment of $25000 is needed to purchase 5 new GR8 electrical system analyzers. |
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| 7 | Automotive | Equipment | 110005161094800 | 56410 | $7,450.00 | $0.00 |
| Additional tire machine | Tire replacement is an entry level skill that our students need to be successful in industry. Currently we 2 Tire Balancer Machines but only one Tire Machine. This creates a delay as our students try to complete their lab tasks related to SLO D and E in AUT 21. It also restricts their ability to get multiple opportunities to practice this skill. The department needs a onetime investment of $7450 to purchase a Hunter TCX51 Tire Machine. |
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| 8 | Automotive | Personnel | 110005161094800 | 51490 | $1,750.00 | $0.00 |
| Applied Academics Stipend | Due to lack of instructors in the math department the Applied Academics class was put on hold for the SP15 semester. With the course in its 3rd year and marked success the automotive program was sad to see the class be taken off the books. That said, staffing in all three areas will need to change in FA2015. Due to the collaborative nature of the class it is important that the instructors meet outside of class to discuss and synchronize the curriculum. In the past, during the development of the class, stipends were paid out of Title III funds. Now that the Basic Skills Grant has sunset it is recommended that the related departments fund the following stipends for the first year (two semesters) for the new instructors. |
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| 9 | Automotive | Operating Expenses | 110005161094800 | 55100 | $0.00 | $22,500.00 |
| NAFTC and Skills USA Operational costs | With the implementation of the Alternative Fuels course, a membership in the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) is needed to stay current with the ever changing technology in the alternative fuel vehicle industry. Not only will this provide the department with the latest in curriculum, it will make the Butte College Automotive Department one of only 5 NAFTC training centers in California. The annual cost of membership is $2500. 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. |
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