Benefits of ASE certification for truck service professionals
With today's technologically sophisticated trucks, there's never been a greater need for highly skilled technicians. Advanced control systems and add-on equipment have pushed technician skill requirements to an all-time high. The bottom line is: Technicians with inadequate training and expertise will slow down your entire operation.
Fortunately, there's a way to gauge your current group of technicians, and a means to screen potential new hires. ASE certification for medium duty and heavy duty truck technicians is something you should take a close look at for your operation.
Validation process for ASE testing
Today, ASE goes beyond providing certification for automobile technicians. ASE has a full certification program for medium/heavy truck technicians, truck equipment technicians, transit bus technicians, school bus technicians and even an advanced diesel engine diagnosis specialist certification.
All ASE tests are the product of strong industry interest and support, each the direct result of test development workshops, where experts from all facets of the industry sit down and hash out the details of the tests. First, a task list is developed for each test. Then, test questions are written that address these tasks.
The workshops rely on heavy interaction between all workshop participants, so their collective knowledge is put to best use. In this stage of test development, ASE's own experts act merely as facilitators; the real "guts" of the tests come from the industry experts. Therefore, the industry makes the tests what they are, not some lofty committee at ASE.
The questions deal with practical, not theoretical, problems experienced on the job. This real-world perspective is a direct benefit of the workshop process. Each test question must get a "thumbs-up" from all workshop participants before qualifying as test material. Then, all questions are pre-tested and quality-checked nationally by thousands of working technicians or parts specialists.
Questions that live up to the combined ASE and industry standards of quality and accuracy are included in the scored sections of the tests; any question that doesn't perform up to these standards is sent back to the drawing board for changes or is discarded altogether.
Once ASE launches a test series, the commitment to relevancy and quality doesn’t end there. All tests are subject to revision by the industry via review workshops. Held on a periodic basis, these sessions ensure that the tests reflect current technology and methodology. This keeps the ASE certification tests in step with the changes affecting the industry.
Benefits of certification
Once a technician passes any of the ASE Medium/Heavy Truck certification tests, and has at least two years of hands-on working experience, that technician becomes ASE-certified in that given specialty area. The Medium/Heavy Truck test series also offers a Master Technician status, which is achieved through certification in the following specialty areas: Diesel Engines (T2), Drivetrain (T3), Brakes (T4), Suspension & Steering (T5), Electrical/Electronic Systems (T6), Heating, Ventilation & A/C (T7) and Preventive Maintenance Inspection (T8).
ASE issues a certificate suitable for framing plus a shoulder insignia that identifies the technician's specific areas of certification. Once certified, though, it isn't forever. Technicians must re-certify every five years to make sure they're keeping pace with changes in the industry.
Having your technicians certified can provide a host of paybacks. You'll be able to identify a technician's strong and weak areas, so you can gain a sense of direction in putting a training plan together. Certification also demonstrates initiative, a trait that's important to you as a fleet manager. Finally, certification demonstrates professionalism, something your technicians—and you—can be proud of.
Preparation before testing
All ASE certification tests are administered on computers at more than 500 proctored test center locations throughout the U.S. You can register for ASE tests during separate registration “windows” throughout the year. For the remainder of 2018:
- Spring Registration – April 10 to June 30
- Summer Registration – July 10 to September 30
- Fall Registration – October 10 – December 31
You can register online at ase.com through the myASE portal, which offers total account management. Employers can also register their technicians for tests and schedule testing appointments using the company account manager function.
Once registered for a test, you have 90 days to schedule an actual testing appointment. This is an important second part of the process prior to taking your test. You can use ASE’s Test Center Locator and Find-A-Seat tool by going to ase.com/testcenters.
ASE certification is a win-win scenario for all. You gain from knowing that your technicians measure up to benchmarks established by the industry and your technicians benefit knowing they're proven professionals that can be proud of their livelihood.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, known more commonly as ASE (ase.com), is a professional certification group that certifies professionals and shops in the automotive repair and service industry in the U.S. and parts of Canada. The non-profit organization helps to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through testing and certification of repair and service professionals. Cappert is the Executive Director, Electronics Initiatives for ASE.
