The auto technician program at Central Lakes College likely will be back in 2002.
Working with Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, CLC will use the 2001-2002 suspension to work toward National Automotive Technician Education Foundation certification.
MnSCU also would work with Brainerd and other area high schools to certify their auto mechanics programs in partnership with CLC, which would allow students to take up to 16 credits in an auto technician program at the technical school and work as an apprentice in area dealerships.
Speaking at the Lakes Area Automotive Industry Council's monthly meeting Wednesday, MnSCU representatives Mike Dehn and Kathy Jasperson outlined what the college and high schools would need to complete certification.
To become NATEF certified, schools will need to look at, and if needed revise, several aspects of the program, including curriculum, staffing, equipment and facilities. In all, Dehn said about 100 hours will be spent revising the program.
"It will take a lot of time and a lot of work," Dehn said, "but nothing worth working for is easy."
Changing the program at CLC was one of the keys to saving it, and though it will take a lot of time to do so, LAAIC members and CLC administrators believe it is worth it.
"It will be much better than it was," said Jim Pace, LAAIC member and general manager at Heartland Tire. "It was agonizing to go through this (the suspensions) but the end result will be a much better program. It turned into a real positive for us."
While the auto technician program will come back after a year suspension at CLC, the fate of the other suspended programs is still unknown.
The graphic arts, electronic publishing and auto body programs, including staff members, are still scheduled for suspension. In addition, three instructors of management programs would be laid off.
An Auto Body Industry Council is being formed to serve a similar purpose, as well as be a part of, LAAIC. Jasperson said once auto technician program certification is established, work can be done on doing the same thing with the auto body program.
The suspensions were part of $1.3 million to $1.7 million in budget cuts the college identified.
