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.
Schedule an Automotive Service Donate to the Automotive Program
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:
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Performing basic vehicle maintenance and safety checks
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Diagnosing engine performance and electrical issues
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Restoring custom vehicles
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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.
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
Certificate Readiness
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?
- What certifications can students earn through this program?
- Can students earn college credit while still in high school?
- What kind of real-world experience do students receive?
- What careers can this program lead to?
- Who leads the Automotive Academy?
- What makes this automotive program different from other trade schools in AZ?
What is the Automotive Maintenance Academy at ALA Applied Technologies?
What certifications can students earn through this program?
Can students earn college credit while still in high school?
What kind of real-world experience do students receive?
What careers can this program lead to?
Who leads the Automotive Academy?
What makes this automotive program different from other trade schools in AZ?
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!