By ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information 

INA– One group of Rend Lake College students are getting back in the classroom this spring knowing they are receiving the highest quality education. RLC’s Automotive Technology program recently received reaccreditation from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

The accreditation is the highest level of program accreditation recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a nonprofit organization that tests and certifies automotive professionals. RLC has continuously been accredited by NATEF since 1996.

With the accreditation comes program credibility, prestige, and program improvements to ensure training standards are not only met, but kept. In this way, NATEF accreditation benefits everyone, from schools, students, and future employers to the automotive service industry and everyone driving on our nation’s roads.

RLC students enrolled in the Automotive Technology program joined Professors Nigel Thompson and Shannon Perkins for a photo with their NATEF Accreditation plaque.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

“NATEF accreditation ensures we are following a curriculum that correlates with industry standards,” explained Nigel Thompson, Automotive Technology Professor. “When there are new technologies, NATEF is sure to help us make those technologies new learning objectives to work into our curriculum. It keeps our students and our graduates current.”

While on campus for the site evaluation last November, representatives from NATEF examined the structure, resources, and quality of training to compare to industry standards. When asked what the NATEF representatives looked over, Shannon Perkins, Automotive Technology Professor, said “everything related to the automotive program.”

“They review our tools, equipment, and curriculum, plus they interview current and past students who are working in the industry and in the community to be sure our program is teaching them the knowledge and skills to be successful in the automotive industry,” added Thompson.

Patricia Serratore, President of ASE, informed RLC of the accreditation at the end of the Fall 2017 semester. In her congratulations letter to the college, she wrote, “We have received the on-site evaluation results for your automobile technician training program. The results indicate that your program continues to meet the requirements for Master Automobile Service Technology accreditation.”

The letter continues, “We commend you and your staff for maintaining your program’s standards, and continuing to meet the industry’s requirements. The explosion in automotive technology makes your high quality automotive training program more valuable than ever.”

Thompson added the success of RLC’s Automotive Technology program can partially be attributed to the hard work and volunteerism of the advisory council. This guiding body meets twice a year and includes members of the community who bring knowledge and skills to help RLC make decisions to benefit students.

“Our Automotive Advisory Council is very strong, and they have a lot of input in our program and reaccreditation,” said Thompson. “They are always there to assist with our program’s needs and goals. They’re members of the local community who want to help our students, from curriculum and equipment needs to donations to the program itself.”

The current advisory council includes President Al Martin of Martin’s Automotive in Mt. Vernon and Vice President Mike Behrmann, Department of Automotive Technology Chairman at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, among others.

Lori Ragland, Vice President of Instruction, added the reaccreditation can also be attributed to the hard work of RLC’s two Automotive Technology Professors.

“Professors Thompson and Perkins are diligent with the training they provide and they have a passion to see their students succeed,” said Ragland. “The effort that these gentlemen put forth each semester is evident; NATEF accreditation of RLC’s automotive program for over 20 years is a testament to the quality of the program in keeping current with industry standards. This is another example of the dedication and passion of the Rend Lake College team to provide a top notch education for our students.”

RLC’s Automotive Technology program features curriculum based on ASE standards to give graduates a broad base of knowledge about how vehicles’ complex components work and interact, as well as the ability to work with electronic diagnostic equipment and computer-based technical reference materials.

Students at RLC can choose between a two-year, four-semester Associate in Applied Science Degree; a similar four-semester occupational certificate; or seven shorter certificates covering transitions, electrical components, brakes, suspension and steering, air conditioning, engine repair, and Ford maintenance. Students who compete either of the four semester programs also earn each of the seven shorter certificates.

To learn more, visit RLC’s Automotive Technology website or call 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261.

SPRINGFIELD –  The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) was joined by lawmakers to outline strategies for proactively responding to a future of work that will demand advanced skills and training. These strategies are embedded within the newly released Strategic Plan for Adult Education and Literacy that focuses on advancing models that combine basic skills and workforce training, leading to a credential and meeting employers’ needs. The strategies developed in the newly released plan will guide Illinois’ adult education system over the next five years to ensure all adult learners have access to and success across the services that are cohesive, coordinated, and innovative.

“Over the past six months, the Statewide Task Force on the Future of Adult Education and Literacy has been engaged in a strategic planning process focused on expanding and scaling comprehensive career pathways and integrated education and training programs that have been successfully implemented across the state to produce a trained workforce and improve wages,” said Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson, ICCB executive director and chair of the task force.

“Adult education can no longer be viewed as an end point or final state in the transition to work,” added Jennifer Foster, ICCB Deputy Director for Adult Education and Workforce. “Instead, adult education is the foundation of Illinois’ career pathway system.”

The five-year strategic plan put forward by the task force addresses these critical needs through the identification of a set of four goals and related objectives developed to spur stronger overall system outcomes.

Goal 1: Improve outcomes by scaling effective models and strategies across the system. 

Goal 2:  Increase postsecondary transitions and credential attainment. 

Goal 3: Strengthen college and career readiness.

Goal 4: Develop life-long career pathway systems and enabling technologies.

“I am proud to stand in support of this strategic plan. Community colleges and other adult education providers have always been the most adaptable and fleet-footed in responding to ever-changing needs of employers. I am pleased they will continue to focus on the need for skilled workers and, by doing so, continue to grow our own job opportunities in each region of Illinois,” said task force member State Representative Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), Minority Spokesperson for the House Higher Education Committee.

“We all agree more jobs in Illinois will solve a lot of problems. At the same time, we have job openings right now that aren’t being filled because the education and training of many applicants doesn’t match the needs of the employers,” said task force member State Senator Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria), Minority Spokesperson for the Senate Education Committee. “This strategic plan offers a way to bridge that gap and properly equip our workforce for the stable, good-paying jobs that are available, while enabling our businesses to expand and grow our economy.”

More than 1 million Illinois residents do not have a high school credential and approximately 1.8 million immigrants do not have the English literacy or other skills to enable them to meet social, educational, and work demands. At the same time, a more demanding economy means that 70% of all jobs in Illinois will require some form of education and training beyond high school. To confront these challenges, the Illinois General Assembly approved Senate Joint Resolution 40 to create a Statewide Task Force on the Future of Adult Education and Literacy.

For more information, including a copy of Expanding Career Pathway Opportunities in Adult Education: Strategic Directions for Illinois, visit www.iccb.org.

As the third largest community college system in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state, Illinois community colleges serve over 600,000 residents each year in credit, noncredit, and continuing education courses. Illinois is home to 48 colleges in 39 community college districts which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities to the entire state. The Illinois Community College Board is the state coordinating board for community colleges and has statutory responsibility for administering state and federal grants to community college districts and adult education providers and managing high school equivalency testing for Illinois.