Greg Shaffer, service manager at Don K Chevrolet, announced that Flathead Valley Community College has become a Prometric test site for certification through ASE (Auto Service Excellence).

The college previously was a testing center for the paper-based test but stopped when ASE switched to online testing through Prometric, a national provider of education and testing.

“I was able to talk to them about how important it is to have testing here,” Shaffer said. “I really appreciate their support of businesses here.”

The college held the first ASE certification test day last week.

Susan Burch, director of Economic Development and Continuing Education at the college, said the college discontinued the testing because of a perceived lack of interest. She said Shaffer made it clear the community needed a test site in the valley.

“It’s a great example of what an employer can do by speaking up and saying we really need this and helping us put together a critical mass of participants,” she said.

Burch said this alliance with Prometric may open doors for other cooperative programs. She said the national organization also offers continuing education for a variety of professional degrees.

“So we’re thinking that we may be able to investigate that down the line and see if there’s local interest,” she said.

Shaffer said the website www.ASE.com provides more information about certification. The website offers an online demo to experience the computer-based test at the Prometric test centers such as FVCC.

Certifications through ASE cover a range of specialties including automotive technicians, parts consultants and auto body specialists. According to Shaffer, certification gives job-seekers an edge since auto service businesses want to advertise ASE-certified technicians to enhance consumer confidence.

Before the college resumed testing, people had to travel to Missoula, Helena or Spokane to test for certification or re-certification.

Now the college expects to offer an opportunity to test twice a month. With this success, Shaffer has another vision of working with the college.

“I wish we could take this one step further and put in an automotive program geared to a manufacturer like Chevy or General Motors.”

People interested in automotive training have to travel long distances with the closest program offered in Havre. Shaffer said that doesn’t benefit local businesses because BNSF and GE hire most of the graduating technicians.

Other training centers are located in large cities.

“Kids can go to Seattle, Portland and Salt Lake City,” Shaffer said.

He said those programs take two years and include intervals of three-month on-the-job training at dealerships. According to Shaffer, employers prefer graduates from these manufacturer-specific programs.

“By the time they’re done, they are 100-percent trained and ready to come to the dealership and turn wrenches,” he said.

Trade school graduates learn a little about all makes and models but not enough to start working. Shaffer said Don K had to start an apprentice program for them.

“I takes me a year and a half to get them up to speed,” he said.

Graduates with the specialized training command starting salaries of $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Compounding the problem, the dealerships hire the people who served internships with them.

Shaffer said it’s difficult to get people trained or working in other areas to relocate to the Flathead Valley for a lot of reasons like difficulty selling their homes.

“It’s really hard to get a qualified technician anywhere in Montana,” he said.

At the same time, a lot of the older technicians are retiring or they don’t want to learn the new technology. Computerization in the automotive industry requires technicians with strong academic ability.

“There’s a major shortage throughout the United States,” he said. “A program like that would serve the entire state.”

Shaffer said he sees this specialized automotive training as a good fit with others at Flathead Valley Community College.

Burch said it seems like a good fit but space would be an issue at the Occupational Trades Building.

She said Shaffer needs to work with Pete Wade, director of Career and Technical Education on his concept.

“He has a compelling vision and it seems like a very cool idea,” Burch said.

People who would like more information may contact Shaffer at 862-2571 or send an email to greg@donk.com.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.