SEMINOLE STATE IS YOUR LEARNING PARTNER FOR CAREER SUCCESS
What if you could start, grow or relocate your automotive business without worrying about skills shortages? What if you could easily find qualified local talent and access high quality training in Central Florida?
Seminole State College is a regional resource for start-ups, established employers and companies moving into Central Florida.
As your ‘Learning Partner for Career Success’, we are committed to delivering work-ready graduates and training options to support large corporate clients and small and medium-sized businesses.
DRIVING THE FUTURE: PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS
The automotive industry has a rich history that continually shapes our lives, revolutionizes transportation and influences global economies. Today, the automotive industry is navigating a complex landscape characterized by technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences and ever-changing market dynamics.
At the core of this evolving industry is a growing demand for skilled automotive technicians to support and service technological advancements and the shift toward hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). As the need for skilled professionals surges, the supply of qualified technicians has struggled to keep pace, resulting in a significant skills gap.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the nation will need more than 67,000 automotive technicians each year until at least 2033, which represents a projected annual job growth of 3% as a national average.
Additionally, the shift toward hybrid and electric vehicles necessitates a new set of technical competencies. The rise of connected vehicles and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) will require proficiency in programming, understanding vehicle systems and sensor technology.
BRIDGING THE SKILLS GAP
Seminole State’s Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Automotive Engineering Technology has been recognized as the No. 1 automotive educational program in the United States. The unique curriculum, accredited by ASE Education Foundation, Ford and General Motors (GM), combines the latest in automotive technology education, relevant industry internships and strong academic coursework to prepare graduates for successful careers in the automotive service industry.
Knowledgeable and experienced faculty members, coupled with active industry partnerships ensure that automotive students receive advanced training that integrates traditional vehicle operations with emerging driver assist technology and alternative-fuels such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen fuel cell.
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS AUTOMOTIVE
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (2 YEARS – FULL-TIME)
Associate in Applied Science Automotive Engineering Technology
Students in the Automotive Engineering Technology program select a track of study with GM or Ford. With each track, students acquire important skills related to high-performance vehicles, alternative-fuel vehicles, and diagnoses and repair.
• Ford – Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET)
• General Motors – Automotive Service Education Program (ASEP)
Automotive students enrolled in this program have the valuable opportunity to earn ASE certifications as well as manufacturerspecific certifications from Ford or General Motors. Possessing these credentials can save dealerships thousands of dollars (estimated between $50-$80K) in training costs when hiring a Seminole State automotive graduate compared with an uncertified individual from outside the program.
Program cost: $6,245 in-state tuition and fees. Additional fees may apply for online and laboratory courses.
Careers: Seminole State’s automotive students intern at new car dealerships, fleet operations facilities, municipalities or independent garages to prepare for full-time jobs in the automotive field. These skills are highly valued as technical expertise is complemented by effective communication and collaboration opportunities.
This high-demand industry focus is supported by impressive results, as paid internships lead to a 100% placement rate upon graduation from the A.A.S. program at Seminole State College.
Graduates of this program are employed as:
• Automotive parts sales and service representatives
• Automotive technicians (Ford, Lincoln, and GM)
• Automotive technology instructors
COLLEGE CREDIT CERTIFICATES (6-24 MONTHS)
College credit certificates do not require an associate or bachelor’s degree. They can be taken by students or professionals in the workforce to advance their skills.
Graduates are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce upon certificate completion. Certificates can be applied toward or earned
within the Automotive Engineering Technology A.A.S. degree. Credits earned in certificate programs can also be applied toward an Associate in Science (A.S.) or bachelor’s degree at Seminole State.
Jeff Janes, a Ford ASSET instructor at Seminole State, always knew his passion was rooted in cars. He has witnessed first-hand the blend of mechanics and technology from his first job at a local oil-change shop to working in the field as a technician. During his continued education process, he was recruited by the College to spearhead the Ford-Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) track, a partnership between the Ford Motor Co., Ford and Lincoln dealers.
As an associate professor, Janes emphasizes integrated skills of mechanical, technical and interpersonal training to succeed as a proficient line technician. Alongside Professor and Senior Master Technician Azan Edoo, the faculty and staff at Seminole State provide unparalleled instruction that blends both theory and hands-on practicum. With a deep commitment to student success, instructors not only teach foundational concepts in automotive engineering but also ensure that students gain practical, real-world experience.
*Tuition costs are based on number of credit or program hours for programs in the current term for in-state students. Book expenses may vary by course. Lab fees and other fees may apply.
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS AUTOMOTIVE
“Ford and its retail dealerships have partnered with Seminole State College through the Ford ASSET Program for decades. The curriculum and high-quality instructors prepare the students with the logic and theory behind automotive repair while the structured internships allow the students the opportunity to apply their education in a “real world” setting, the dealership service department. As employers, we value the fact that these students work in our dealerships and contribute toward our respective cultures. By the time their programs are complete, they already have a couple of years of experience and are ready to become full-time, contributing members of the team. The SSC partnership is a win-win situation as the students gain experience and we have access to high-quality employees.”
—Rick Brisson, Operations Director at Parks Motor Group
INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The Central Florida Auto Dealers Association (CFADA) has been an active force in philanthropic causes and automotive educational programs (secondary and post-secondary).
The CFADA was instrumental in helping secure funding for the Barbara Miller CFADA Automotive Training Center at Seminole State College. The 55,000-square-foot automotive training center features five high-tech classrooms, a shop with 40 bays, a 2,000-square-foot showroom and CFADA corporate offices.
The automotive program at Seminole State is also supported by an industry advisory board (IAB) that ensures our curriculum matches current and future industry needs in a fast-paced economy. IABs meet at least twice a year to advise on programs and make recommendations. The IAB for the automotive program includes members from Ford Motor Company, General Motors Company, AAA National, Orange County Fleet Management, Matco Tools, local high school automotive programs and independent shops.
INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING
For employees who have an associate or bachelor’s degree, Seminole State offers professional certifications, courses and programs for non-degree-seeking students from its Institute for Training, ed2go.com/seminole. These Education to Go courses in a range of business and technical subjects enable you and your employees to easily cross-skill and up-skill to meet business need.
For employees who want to reskill, upskill or embark on a degree, we provide flexible and convenient study options with over 40 fully online Associate in Science (A.S.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees and certificate programs so your employees can go back to college while working full- or part-time. These academically robust, affordable, online and hybrid programs and certificates enable you
to retain employees while they level up their skills. Many Seminole State courses and programs are eligible for tuition reimbursement if this benefit is offered by employers.
WORKFORCE-READY GRADUATES
Seminole State graduates are equipped to Go Far. A Seminole State College education is not limited to formal skills training. Students also learn critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving, innovation and creativity, effective communication, ethical reasoning and cross-cultural interaction, equipping them to be professional, wellrounded employees.
Graduates from Seminole State’s A.A.S. degree program have an 89 percent placement rate in their field within one year of graduation, while college credit certificate graduates have a 94 percent placement rate in their field, a sign of workforce readiness.
STARTING OR GROWING YOUR BUSINESS AUTOMOTIVE
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Seminole State College is in the top one percent of community colleges in the nation and is one of the country’s top 10 community and state colleges as recognized by the Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence in 2025.
We are also a partner in Get There, Florida’s Workforce Education Initiative, which supports pathways to Career and Technical Education in high growth sectors, including transportation, distribution and logistics at the 28 Florida’s State Colleges.
FOR MORE INFO
Automotive Training Programs:
Dr. Adam Stark
Academic Dean, Center for Computer and Engineering Technology
Phone: 407.708.2852
Email: starka@seminolestate.edu
Ronda Thacker
Coordinator, Workforce Programs & Initiatives, Automotive Department
Phone: 407.708.2230
Email: thackerr@seminolestate.edu
seminolestate.edu/automotive
Center for Business Development/Institute for Training:
Amy Kirkland, Associate Vice President, Resources & Economic Development
