As advanced vehicle technologies continue to reshape repair procedures and liability considerations, a new certification pilot aims to change how technician competency is measured — moving beyond written exams to hands-on validation.
Collin College is one of six institutions in the nation selected to participate in a pilot accreditation program led by the Advanced Vehicle Technology Education and Credentialing Coalition (AVTECC). The initiative integrates performance-based, industry-recognized skills assessments into Collin College’s Automotive Technology curriculum, with emphasis on electric vehicles (EVs), advanced diagnostics, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
AVTECC’s model differs from traditional certifications by requiring technicians to demonstrate competency through hands-on assessment rather than relying primarily on cognitive or multiple-choice testing.
Why Community Colleges Were Selected
According to David Macholz of AVTECC, community colleges were chosen as the pilot environment because they represent the entry point for most technicians entering the workforce…