Parkland College, AVTECC Launch Automotive Accreditation Program
Four leading institutions are part of this partnership
The Advanced Vehicle Technology Education and Credentialing Coalition (AVTECC), a non-profit focused on transforming workforce education and credentialing in the transportation sector, announces the launch of its accreditation program in partnership with four leading institutions, including Parkland College.
Parkland, along with Collin College in Texas, Umpqua Community College in Oregon, and Mass Bay Community College in Massachusetts, will be the first in the nation to begin aligning their automotive programs to AVTECC’s skills-based certification and accreditation model. The pilot program represents a major step toward reshaping technician education through aligning programming to meaningful outcomes and the skills employers hire and promote for.
“We are honored to be at the forefront of this important national initiative from AVTECC," said Parkland Applied Sciences Technologies Department Chair Jonathan Ross. "Together, Parkland College will not only be better equipped to meet the needs of the advancing automotive industry, but also create new opportunities for our students, expand our capabilities, and prepare the workforce of the future."
Each participating institution will begin embedding performance-based, industry-recognized skills assessments into their automotive curriculum. These assessments will be tied to AVTECC certifications, which validate real-world skills in all areas of the automobile with an emphasis on advanced technologies including electric vehicle systems, advanced diagnostics, and advanced driver assistance systems. By integrating certification into existing programs, schools can give students an advantage in the job market and deliver on the promise of career-ready education.
"Our goal is to build elite programs that produce exceptional technicians," said David Macholz, President and CEO of AVTECC. "Our accreditation model goes deeper than minimum standards and compliance. It’s about building programs that result in meaningful outcomes for students and the local industry these institutions serve."
A key component of the AVTECC accreditation process is the Automotive Instructors Institute, a professional development program designed to help educators build instructional capacity around emerging technologies and competency-based instruction. Faculty at pilot schools will receive targeted training and support as they align program outcomes with AVTECC standards and prepare to assess students on nationally validated skills.
The pilot will inform the full rollout of AVTECC’s national accreditation framework, which is designed to evaluate programs based on learner achievement, industry engagement, and instructional quality, ensuring graduates are equipped for high-demand roles in a rapidly changing transportation landscape.
For more information about AVTECC, the pilot institutions, or the accreditation process, visit avtecc.org or contact info@avtecc.org.