Automotive & Diesel Service Technology
You enjoy working with your hands and working on vehicles. You’re not afraid to get a little dirty. Mid’s Automotive & Diesel Service Program prepares you for work in the automotive repair, service, and maintenance sectors.
Plus, with the addition of enhanced lite diesel service technologies training and our 100% internship placement rate, you'll be well-prepared for real-world work when you study at Mid.
Earn the Automotive & Diesel Service Training Credential, which typically takes one year to complete, in just 8 months or 2 semesters.
Ask your Mid Mentor about our Fast Track option today!
For nearly 15 years, Mid’s Automotive & Diesel Service Program & Pathways have held Master Accreditation, the highest level of achievement, through the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation (NATEF). This means that we exceed industry standards in instructor qualifications, program and instruction quality, and learning equipment and facilities--which ensures you receive an education that prepares you for success.
You'll work on real vehicles and vehicle systems in a dealership-style learning environment, and if you're pursuing an associate degree, you'll intern at a local businesses alongside certified auto technicians and mechanics.
Enter the workforce as a mechanic in as little as 30-weeks, or complete an associate degree with with the option to transfer into a bachelor program, (like Ferris State University’s Bachelor of Science in Automotive Management). Laddered skills and certifications build on one another throughout the program, allowing you to work at your own pace and earn proof of your skills on the way to an associate degree.
From basic skills to specialized systems, Mid's Automotive & Diesel Service Associate Degree allows you to gain employable, hands-on skills alongside a well-rounded base of knowledge.
Mid's Training Credential allows you to build entry-level skills so you can enter the workforce quickly. This 1-year credential ladders into the 2-year associate degree.
In Fall 2019, Mid’s Automotive & Diesel Service Program relocated to a brand new facility owned and operated by the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD).
The John C. Magnus Center was established in 2013 and the most recent renovations included the construction of the Wilhelm Joseph Magnus Building for Skilled Trades Learning, which now houses both CTE's Automotive/Diesel Technology Program and Mid's Automotive & Diesel Service Program. The facility features state-of-the-art automotive equipment, tools, and a dealership-style learning environment, and is located just a few miles from Mid's Harrison Campus.
You may be wondering how employers will know what skills you've mastered by completing your degree at Mid.
To highlight these skills, Mid has partnered with a variety of organizations to award industry-recognized skill certifications.
As part of this effort, Mid is affiliated with NC3, the National Coalition of Certification Centers, a nationwide network of education/training providers and corporations that develops, implements, and sustains industry-recognized certifications built on national skills standards. Industry-recognized certifications provide a return on your education investment through hands-on training using state of the art tools and equipment. These NC3-backed certifications are earned in addition to your Mid credential and increase your employment potential.
“There’s no such thing as too old or too late! I was worried about being the ‘old guy’ in class and about getting hired as an older applicant. But, had I let those worries stop me, I would have missed my chance to do what I really love. I had to get out of my own head, learn new things, and take some chances. And, I’m so glad that I did!” - Garret Salter, Mid Graduate & Technician at Cauley Ferrari
For 25 years, Garret Salter, originally from Lake Isabella, worked in public safety and law enforcement.
And he had a passion for cars. Especially fast ones.
“When I decided to retire from law enforcement, I wasn’t ready to fully retire. So, I decided to pursue something I love. I enrolled in Mid’s Automotive Program,” shared Salter.
He managed coursework while continuing to put in 12-hour shifts in law enforcement.
“I had to overcome my own stereotypes about what it means to take classes as an adult. It felt awkward at first but not for long,” Salter said. “Once I really got into the coursework and was learning alongside my classmates, I felt completely comfortable.”
After two years, Salter graduated with honors and as a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College.
Salter set his sights high. He didn’t just want to work on any vehicle—he wanted to work on the best.
“My mind just kept drifting to the Ferraris from shows like Miami Vice and Magnum PI. I knew, if at all possible, I wanted to work on cars like that.”
Michigan has only one Ferrari dealership—Cauley Ferrari, a family-owned business in West Bloomfield. Salter understood that his chances of landing his dream job were limited.
“As the only Ferrari dealer in Michigan, having a highly-skilled team is of utmost importance. We look for team members who have a solid foundation of knowledge, the enthusiasm to complete specialty Ferrari training, and a genuine appreciation for the Ferrari brand,” explained Joe Cauley, co-owner of Cauley Ferrari.
Salter watched and waited for a technician job at Cauley Ferrari to open, applying to the first posting he saw.
“When I was hired by Cauley, it really was like a dream come true,” Salter remembered. “I’ve been with the dealership for nearly a year, and I can’t wait to begin Ferrari Technician Training.”
Ferrari Master Technicians must have a minimum of five years of experience with Ferrari and complete a series of classes held across the Country and in Italy. The process generally takes 7-8 years to complete.
“It’s exciting for us to have a new technician join the team,” said Tim Hyland, Salter’s mentor and a Ferrari Master Technician at Cauley. “It can be difficult to find and recruit new technicians, especially those who are well-prepared, willing to learn from others, and have passion for these cars. Garret has been a great addition to our team.”
“I still keep in touch with my automotive instructors from Mid. Each of them had decades of experience, so they were passionate and knowledgeable about the industry. Learning from them made me feel empowered and confident about starting a second career in the auto industry.”
