Automotive service technicians apply their expertise to solve electrical and mechanical problems in our vehicles. Technicians also assure that our autos and trucks perform their best and are safe.
The Oregon Employment Department forecasts that automotive service technician employment in the Portland area will grow 6.4% through 2027.
Why choose Automotive Service Technology at PCC?
The Portland Community College Automotive Service Technology program offers you flexibility, cutting-edge knowledge, and automotive industry best practices. You also can specialize in your chosen field.
Whether youre just starting your career in automotive technology or returning for a skills upgrade, our program offers the best training and resources available. Our three-week course modules offer the perfect opportunity to schedule classes around your job or to learn in segments that provide better consistency. We offer upgrade training to technicians already working in the field, and you may earn credit for passing ASE tests (See the automotive department chair for details).
The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), an arm of the industry certifying body, Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), accredits both our degree and certificate.
What will you learn?
Each class helps prepare you to take the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification exams. Satisfactory completion of the course outcomes will earn you the ability to move forward in the program.
In addition to automotive technical skills, we also focus on the development of related skills in these areas:
Basic arithmetic for effective use of diagnostic equipment
Communication with customers and colleagues
Diagnostic processes for using logical, and step-by-step methods to locate defects
Organization for planning work schedules and repair sequences
Reading and research needed for use of specification and repair manuals
What will you do?
As an automotive service technician, you will inspect, test, diagnose, repair, and supervise the repair of mechanical and electrical systems on automobiles and light trucks.
Other responsibilities may include:
Accounting
Customer relations
Record keeping
Sales
Supervision and management
Specific duties depend on the job you choose:
Automotive technician
Brake specialist
Exhaust specialist
Shop supervisor
Suspension specialist
Technical writer
Training instructor
Transmission and driveline specialist
Tune-up and electrical specialist
Who will hire me?
Jobs are available virtually anywhere you wish to live. Automotive service technicians work for:
Automobile dealerships
Fleet owners
Independent garages
Mass merchandisers
Parts houses
Service stations
Specialty shops
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
March 2025
Portland Community College
Sylvania Campus,
12000 SW 49th Avenue,
PORTLAND,
Oregon,
97219, United States
Applicants should be turning 18 years of age in the first term they attend PCC, or older. However, we do accept students aged 16 to 17 if certain requirements are met. English Language Requirements: IELTS (Academic) overall score 5.5 or higher (no band below 5.0); TOEFL iBT score 61 or higher; Pearson PTE score 45 or higher; DUOLINGO score 95 or higher (no sub-score lower than 75); iTEP (Academic) score 4.0 or higher; GTEC score 1076 or higher; EIKEN pre-1 or higher; Cambridge B2 First, Cambridge C1 Advanced, Cambridge C2 Proficiency score 160 or higher; IB - International Baccalaureate Language A1 English earn SL points: 5 or higher score HL 4 or higher.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
Students can complete a full associate's degree with PCC or transfer to a prestigious college or university for a four-year degree.
