This NATEF accredited course is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the automotive repair field with an emphasis in electrical troubleshooting and exploring electric vehicle technologies. Students learn skills through a variety of exercises utilizing passenger cars, electrical circuit board trainers, various types of EV transportation, and use of specific industry tools. The successful student will expand their critical thinking skills within a collaborative learning environment. The course units are differentiated and designed in a tiered structure. The course focuses on  problem based, project based, and challenged based lessons.  All students will complete the units 0.1 to 13. In Semester 2, students will select a pathway from Units 14 to 20 depending on interest and performance criteria. As the students master the skills, they will rotate within the units. 

• General Service Technician
• Electrical troubleshooting
• Engine performance and systems
• Diagnostic and Repair Technician
• Service at automotive dealerships
• Service at independent repair shops

• 30 high school credits earned per year
• Develop skills leading to a high demand technical career
• UC "d" or "g" approved course

Certifications Earned Within the Class

• Certificate of Completion
• Subaru SU Level 1 Training
• TTEN TECS Toyota Maintenance Certificate
• S/P2 Automotive Service and Safety Certificates
• OEM Certifications 

Earned Outside of the Class

• ASE A-1 thru A-8 Certificates
• ASE G1 Maintenance and Light Repair Certificate
• Dual enrollment with Evergreen Valley College 

Job Opportunities Upon Completion

• Dealership Service Technician
• Independent Repair Center Technician
• General Maintenance Technician
• Service Lube Technician
• Porter
• Service Advisor
• Parts Counter Specialist

About the Instructor

Tom Nemeth knows the importance of creating a challenging technical experience combined with a diverse academic curriculum for students. Nemeth comes to SVCTE with years of retail and corporate automotive experience, and it all started with a high school automotive vocational education and dealership internship. An ASE Master Automobile Technician, Toyota Master Technician, Nissan Technician, and a tinkerer of sports cars, Nemeth has always been enthusiastic about the automotive industry. His experience includes various positions for Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai, and Tesla. Nemeth is a graduate from Hartnell College, University of San Francisco, and Boston College. 

Why do you teach Career and Technical Education? 

Teaching automotive CTE is very rewarding. I am influencing students to visualize success and feel accomplished. Students are developing skills that will last their lifetime.