Ford Technician Training Offers Practical Experience

"Students of the Ford Technician training option at Centennial College learn a set of skills and theories at the college. They then get a chance to practice these tasks in the real environment," sums up Peter Lokun, Professor, General Motors of Canada – ASEP at Centennial College, in Toronto, Ont. Although this analysis may seem simple, the concept is quite popular and reliable.

First, it should be noted that students who study to become Ford technicians are essentially choosing Ford Motor Company as their employer because this program teaches them specifically about Ford models. Secondly, students who are interested in obtaining Centennial College's Ford technician training must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or a General Education Diploma or equivalent. A Ford Motor Company of Canada Ltd. Dealership must also employ the applicant. Successful applicants must obtain an employer and then register as a MAP apprentice with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Acceptance is based on successful completion of all entry requirements. Limited space is available in each program. Please note that candidates may apply directly to Centennial College for this Ford technician training.

Once in the program (officially known as the Automotive Service Technician Ford Company of Canada Limited Asset (MAP 32) Apprenticeship), students spend a year learning theories, practicing hands-on and participating in an apprenticeship with an automotive dealer or shop that specializes in Ford vehicles. Every four weeks, Ford technician students alternate between the College and their employer for a total of 64 weeks (32 weeks with each).

The in-school portion of the program is conducted out of Ashtonbee Campus, which is the province's largest transportation training centre. At this centre, students will find fully-equipped labs, actual Ford vehicles and Ford vehicle parts that have been donated to the school and the tools with which they will work with in the field. The training that students obtain in the Ford Technician training is actually more in-depth than that of a traditional apprenticeship. This puts students at a clear advantage upon graduation, as they will be more comfortable and experienced. At Centennial College, the focus is on the latest Ford technology with emphasis on electronics, transmission, engines, air conditioning, supplemental restraint systems and the diagnosing of vehicle management systems. In addition, the program teaches Ford specialties that, in the past, students had to attend Ford school to learn. These specialties are: engines, electrical, brakes and climate control. Students may be eligible for employment insurance during the in-class training.

As previously mentioned, during their Ford technician studies, students also spend time at a Ford dealership where they work alongside professionals and gaining additional knowledge. During their session with an employer, there is an earn-while-you-learn approach, which sees students compensated for their work. Duties of automotive service technicians include: writing vehicle damage repair estimates, repairing broken or worn mechanical components, maintaining repair and service records, installing equipment, components and systems, testing vehicles both before and after repair, and repairing electrical wiring, circuits and fixtures.