Upgrade2cert.org

Gateway Technical College ’s Horizon Center for Transportation Technology is a prime example of a sustainable community partnership formed to improve training for key industry groups.   The partnership supporting the creation of the Center, which opened for the 2007 Fall semester, morphed from one developed under a U.S. Department of Labor Grant with similar goals, specifically for the automotive technician sector.

A partnership was created between Gateway, Snap-on Incorporated, WATDA, Melior, Inc., NATEF/ASE and the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers in a Department of Labor-Employment & Training Administration grant program awarded October, 2004.   The program uses web-based training and information to address key automotive workforce issues identified in the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative.

The $900,000 grant funds the “Upgrading the Nation’s Automotive Program”, aimed at increasing the number of NATEF/ASE-certified automotive instructors and certified automotive training programs throughout the country (National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation—NATEF; National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence—ASE).

An overall project website was established as a portal to the on-line training: www.upgrade2cert.org.   From that site, automotive instructors who need to obtain their 20 hours of training to keep their certification can access training online, at no cost, from Melior Inc.   Also, high schools, colleges, and other automotive training centers can access a free tutorial produced through the grant that guides them through the program certification process.   Certification is strongly encouraged by the vehicular industry.