Automotive Academy

Student-Provided Automotive Services

Students offer a range of automotive services to help maintain your vehicle. All services are performed by trained students under professional supervision.

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Why Automotive?

Some students find joy in solving mechanical puzzles, getting their hands dirty in the lab, and seeing their work come to life. ALA Applied Technologies’ Automotive Academy turns that passion into a clear career path. Over four years, students progress from foundational skills to advanced techniques found in the automotive industry through hands-on experiences such as:

Performing basic vehicle maintenance and safety checks
Diagnosing engine performance and electrical issues
Restoring custom vehicles
Interning with real-world automotive service centers

Students train using industry-standard tools on actual customer vehicles, gaining experience that directly connects to today’s automotive careers. Along the way, they earn recognized certifications like ASE Master Automobile Student Technician and EPA Section 609. Automotive students can also earn college credit through Maricopa Community Colleges, giving them a head start toward the workforce or post-secondary programs in engineering and automotive technology. With expert instructors and small class sizes, students build the confidence and skills to turn their passion into a profession.

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Automotive Technologies Capstone

For students who want to steer their own project, this option transforms the garage into a design studio. Guided by project‑management checkpoints, seniors research a problem—turbocharging a small‑block, restoring a 1970s suspension, or coding a custom ECU tune—then plan, execute, and document every step. The year finishes with a portfolio, formal report, and live presentation to industry judges, demonstrating A‑to‑Z competency in diagnostics, repair, budgeting, and safety.

EMPIRE/CAT "Go Big" Internship

Selected students spend fall semester inside Empire Southwest’s state‑of‑the‑art Caterpillar training center. Half the time is devoted to shop protocols—safety, tooling, diagnostic software—while the other half dives deep into diesel‑engine theory and teardown labs. Spring semester moves to the floor of multiple Empire facilities, where interns rotate through real service bays, log hours in Canvas, and troubleshoot live equipment under a master technician’s eye. Successful students may be directly hired to work at Empire or receive preferential admission to the Empire/MCC Think Big apprenticeship program

ASE Master Automobile Student Technician

The ASE Student Certification test series lets high-school and college learners prove their grasp of the eight core automotive systems—A1 Engine Repair through A8 Engine Performance—before they enter the field. Passing all eight exams in one sitting earns the “Master Automobile Student Technician” designation, signaling to employers that a graduate already understands professional safety practices, diagnostic basics, and OEM-level repair procedures. After two years of work experience, those student credentials transition smoothly toward full ASE Master Technician status.

Key ASE Resources

Test Series overview (A1–A9 + student pathway)
Entry-Level & Student Certification details
Certification test specs & task lists (PDF)

EPA Section 609 (HVAC/ Refrigerants)

Section 609 of the Clean Air Act requires anyone who services or repairs mobile-vehicle air-conditioning (MVAC) systems for pay to earn an EPA-approved certification. The exam covers safe refrigerant recovery, proper equipment use, and the environmental impact of venting R-134a and other gases. A passing score lets technicians legally purchase small cans of MVAC refrigerant and perform A/C work in compliance with federal law.

Key Resources

Career Opportunities

Automotive Technician ~ ($62k)

A tech’s week is a blend of diagnostics, repairs, and factory-scheduled maintenance—everything from brake jobs and drivability complaints to ADAS calibrations. Most employers expect—or will pay for—ASE student or full A-series certifications; an EPA 609 card is required for A/C work. The current U.S. median is about $49–50 K, with seasoned, multi-brand technicians in bigger markets regularly topping $60 K and up.

Core Skills

Scan-tool diagnostics & wiring-diagram tracing
Mechanical teardown/reassembly (engines, driveline, suspension)
Customer write-ups and digital vehicle-health reports

Service Manager ~ ($65k)

Part air-traffic controller, part coach, the service manager runs the shop floor: assigning jobs, checking quality, staying ahead of parts bottlenecks, and smoothing out customer concerns. Pay ranges widely by region and dealership size; national averages land in the mid-$70–90 K zone, with high-volume stores clearing six figures.

What Sets You Apart

A&P-style leadership for technicians—mentoring, not micromanaging
CSI and fixed-right-first-time metrics
Warranty-claim and parts-inventory fluency

Automotive Engineer ~ ($96k)

Engineers design the vehicles techs eventually repair—modeling crash structures, refining power-train efficiency, or programming chassis-control algorithms. Most hold a bachelor’s in mechanical or aerospace engineering and are proficient with CAD/CAE suites (CATIA, NX) plus MATLAB or Python. Current U.S. averages hover near $100 K, with entry roles around $80 K and senior specialists well above $120 K.

Daily Bread

Virtual and physical prototyping; FEA/CFD analysis
Cross-functional teamwork with manufacturing, quality, and suppliers
FAA, EPA, and global regulatory compliance for emerging tech (EV, ADAS)

Shop Owner / Entrepreneur ~ ($90-110 K)

Owning a repair shop blends technical know-how with sharp business instincts—P&L management, marketing, and relationship-building. Surveys place typical owner pay around $90–110 K, but margins can swing widely: stellar operations post 20 %+ net profit, while many hover at 10–15 %. Growth often comes from adding bays, embracing fleet contracts, or specializing in EV service.

Keys to Profitability

Lean workflow: bay-utilization tracking and smart parts sourcing
Strong local brand (reviews, community sponsorships)
Continuous training—keeping techs ASE-current and EV-literate

Meet the Coordinator

Erik Lambson

Erik Lambson is a well-versed automotive technician who received his Automotive Mechanics and Technology degree from WyoTech. With his extensive leadership experience and entrepreneurial skills, he has successfully managed the operations of his own auto repair shop for nearly a decade. Lambson brings immense knowledge and proficiency in automotive mechanics, technology, and repair to our Automotive Academy.

Student Testimonial

Hear from Our Students

Hear from a student and teacher about the impact of our hands-on internship program with Empire Cat. This unique opportunity helps students gain real-world experience, build valuable skills, and open doors to future careers in the automotive and heavy equipment industries.

Explore the Automotive Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Automotive Maintenance Academy at ALA Applied Technologies?

Our Automotive Maintenance Academy is a hands-on program within ALA Applied Technologies' tuition-free trade school in AZ that prepares students for high-demand careers in automotive technology. Students in the Automotive Technician track learn to inspect, diagnose, and repair key systems including engines, brakes, electrical systems, suspension, tires, air conditioning, and even diesel mechanics.

What certifications can students earn through this program?

Students have the opportunity to earn multiple industry-recognized certifications, including:

ASE Master Automobile Student Technician Certification
EPA Section 609 Certification (focused on handling refrigerants and air conditioning systems)

These certifications provide students with a competitive advantage when entering the workforce or pursuing further education.

Can students earn college credit while still in high school?

Yes. Students who successfully complete necessary components to receive ASE certification may be eligible for college credit through the Maricopa Community College system. Students who successfully complete the course while enrolled in a partner community college will also receive corresponding college credit. These dual-credit opportunities fast-track students toward associate degrees or advanced certification programs.

What kind of real-world experience do students receive?

What careers can this program lead to?

Students who complete the Automotive Academy are equipped for entry-level jobs and further technical training in roles such as:

Automotive Technician ($62K Average Annual Salary)
Service Manager ($65K Average Annual Salary)
Automotive Engineer ($96K Average Annual Salary)
Shop Owner/Entrepreneur

The skills gained are also a strong foundation for students considering postsecondary programs in mechanical engineering or auto design.

Who leads the Automotive Academy?

What makes this automotive program different from other trade schools in AZ?

ALA Applied Technologies offers a unique blend of academic excellence and hands-on training—all within a tuition-free public charter school setting. Unlike most traditional trade schools, our program provides:

Certification opportunities and high school credit
Real-world auto shop experience
Free college credit
A structured learning environment built on leadership and professional development

This program truly prepares students to succeed in automotive careers or further education—without the high costs of private trade schools.

Contact Us

Have questions about the ALA Automotive Academy? We're here to help! Contact us to learn more about our unique curriculum, experienced instructors, and how your student can gain real-world skills in this high-demand field, or schedule a campus tour today and see firsthand how American Leadership Academy is preparing the next generation of mechanics!

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