The McHenry County College Automotive Technology program has been selected as one of the top 20 finalists, from a field of 77 automotive programs throughout the country, for Tomorrow’s Technician magazine’s 2015 School of the Year.
The competition is sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts and WIX Filters.
“We are committed to preparing MCC students to become the best professionals in the automotive field. I’m very proud of our highly qualified instructors, our hands-on learning environment and our state-of-the-art equipment,” said Mike Albamonte, automotive instructor and department chairman.
Albamonte said all MCC automotive instructors are ASE Master Certified with a minimum of 10 years of experience. All of MCC’s automotive graduates have landed jobs in the industry, he said.
“Our graduates are sought after by many businesses in the northwest suburbs,” Albamonte said. “We receive an average of three calls a week requesting MCC graduates for employment as automotive technicians.”
MCC’s Automotive Technology Department partnered with a local police department to perform safety inspections on senior citizens’ cars. In addition, the students built an alternative fuel truck which can use propane, E85 ethanol or gasoline for fuel. Automotive program instructors and an outside Master Certified woman technician recently presented a car care class exclusively for women highlighting basic maintenance, tips on purchasing a vehicle, and available career paths for women in the automotive industry.
Marley Orr, 20, of Harvard said she enjoys having “a lot of lab time” and as one of the few females in the program, she said she feels welcome there.
MCC graduate Josh DiJoseph, now a technician at his family-owned business, Auto Infinity in Wonder Lake, said the technology level and subject diversity is what sets MCC’s automotive program apart.
“Another reason for the success of MCC’s automotive program is the program’s strong relationships with local employers, dealerships and small shops,” said Jim Falco, executive dean of Education, Career and Technical Education.
