BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Automotive Service Technician Foundation Program


Department: CAREER TRAINING (TRADES)
Program Delivery Location: Community Based
Credential: Certificate
Format: Full-Time
Start Dates: Spring 2023

Automotive Service Technician Foundation Program

This 33-week program (990 hours) takes students
with little or no previous experience in the
automotive repair trade and supplies them with the
necessary skills to seek employment in this
industry as an apprentice technician. This program
introduces the students to many aspects of
servicing and repair in the automotive repair
trade with a focus on developing practical skills.
Graduates of this program will receive 450 hours
towards Automotive Service Technician Year 1 (AST
1) certification and the opportunity to write the
AST 1 Certificate of Qualification exam. The AST 1
Certificate of Qualification and 1590 hours are
required to proceed into AST 2.

Automotive Service Technicians possess the full
range of knowledge and abilities required to
perform preventative maintenance, diagnose
problems and repair vehicle systems including
engines, vehicle management, hybrids, steering,
braking, tires, wheels, drivetrains, suspension,
electrical, electronics, heating, ventilation and
air conditioning (HVAC), restraints, trim and
accessories of automotive vehicles and light
trucks with a gross vehicle weight less than 5,500
kg.


The Automotive Service Technician Foundation is a
33-week (990 hour) program.
Admission Requirements
. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent,
or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for
at least one year as of the first day of classes.
. English 10: A combination of 2 of the following:
English or English First Peoples -Composition 10,
Creative Writing 10, Literary Studies 10, New
Media 10, and Spoken Language 10.
. One of: Workplace Mathematics 10, Foundations of
Mathematics and Pre-calculus 10, an equivalent
Adult Basic Education (MATH 041 from NVIT), or
equivalent assessment.
. Minimum 16 years of age.

General Requirements
. Good physical health
. A passion for the mechanical trade
Credential

Learners will receive a certificate of completion
from NVIT once they have successfully completed
the program. Graduates will also receive the
Automotive Service Technician Foundation
Certificate of Completion, designation with the
Industry Training Authority (ITA), 450 hours
towards year 1 (AST 1) certification, and the
opportunity to write the AST 1 Certificate of
Qualification exam. AST 1 Certificate of
Qualification and 1500 hours are required to
proceed into AST 2.

Dual Credit
In partnership with School Districts, NVIT offers
programs to enable students to begin
post-secondary (university/college) trades and
technical programs during their Grade 11 and 12
high school years. Students simultaneously work
towards completing their high school diploma and
post-secondary certification and earn credits at
both levels - dual credits.
Students who are accepted into these partnership
programs also benefit from reduced tuition fees.
The Automotive Service Technician Foundation
program meets the requirements of a dual credit
program with affiliated School Districts.

Career Opportunities
Automotive Service Technicians can work for a
motor vehicle manufacturing company, a motor
vehicle dealer, or anywhere that motor vehicles
are serviced, like an automotive specialty shop or
a service station.
Certificate Completion Plan
  • ASTF-100 - Perform Safety-Related Functions
  • ASTF-101 - Use Tools, Equipment and Documentation
  • ASTF-102 - Use Communication and Mentoring Techniques
  • ASTF-103 - Diagnose and Repair Driveline Systems
  • ASTF-104 - Diagnose and Repair Electrical Systems and Components
  • ASTF-105 - Diagnose and Repair Steering and Suspension, Tires, Wheels, Hubs and Wheel Bearings
  • ASTF-106 - Diagnose and Repair Braking and Control Systems
  • ASTF-107 - Diagnose and Repair Restraint Systems, Body Components, Accessories and Trim
  • ASTF-108 - Diagnose and Repair Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (ev)
  • ASTF-109 - Industry Work Placement
  • ASTF-110 - Final Exam
  • Course Listing for this program

    ASTF-100 - Credits: 0.000
    Perform Safety-Related Functions
    This course introduces students to maintaining safe work environments and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety equipment. More Details on this course
    ASTF-101 - Credits: 0.000
    Use Tools, Equipment and Documentation
    This course introduces students to: Using tools and equipment; using fasteners, tubing hoses and fittings; using hoisting and lifting equipment; and using technical information. More Details on this course
    ASTF-102 - Credits: 0.000
    Use Communication and Mentoring Techniques
    This course introduces students to: using communication techniques. More Details on this course
    ASTF-103 - Credits: 0.000
    Diagnose and Repair Driveline Systems
    This course introduces students to: Diagnosing and repairing drive shafts and axles. More Details on this course
    ASTF-104 - Credits: 0.000
    Diagnose and Repair Electrical Systems and Components
    This course introduces students to: Diagnosing and repairing wiring and electrical systems; and diagnosing and repairing starting and charing systems and batteries. More Details on this course
    ASTF-105 - Credits: 0.000
    Diagnose and Repair Steering and Suspension, Tires, Wheels, Hubs and Wheel Bearings
    The course introduces students to diagnosing and repairing: Steering and control systems; suspension and control systems; tires, wheels, hubs and wheel bearings. More Details on this course
    ASTF-106 - Credits: 0.000
    Diagnose and Repair Braking and Control Systems
    This course introduces students to diagnosing and repairing: Braking and Control systems More Details on this course
    ASTF-107 - Credits: 0.000
    Diagnose and Repair Restraint Systems, Body Components, Accessories and Trim
    This course introduces students to diagnosing and repairing: wind noises, rattles and water leaks; interior and exterior components, accessories and trim; braking and control systems; latches, locks and movable glass. More Details on this course
    ASTF-108 - Credits: 0.000
    Diagnose and Repair Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (ev)
    This course introduces students to implementing specific safety protocols for hybrid and electric vehicles (EV). More Details on this course
    ASTF-109 - Credits: 0.000
    Industry Work Placement
    2 week industry work placement. Students must obtain at least 70% as a minimum pass. More Details on this course
    ASTF-110 - Credits: 0.000
    Final Exam
    More Details on this course

    Current Course Offerings

    01 = Merritt Campus
    V1 = Burnaby Campus

    Spring 2023 (January - April)


  • ASTF-100-01
  • ASTF-101-01
  • ASTF-102-01
  • ASTF-103-01
  • ASTF-104-01
  • ASTF-105-01
  • ASTF-106-01
  • ASTF-107-01
  • ASTF-108-01
  • ASTF-109-01
  • ASTF-110-01
  •  

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