NextGen Automotive and IT Technician Certificate of Achievement

Automotive technologies in the 21st century require a workforce prepared with both automotive and technical computer skills. Embedded throughout modern automobiles, as well as autonomous and electric vehicles, are computer systems made up of software, hardware, and networked electronic control units. This joint program between AUTO and CNIT prepares students with both automotive technology skills -- including safe tool and equipment handling and automobile maintenance and repair--and computer and IT technical skills, including hardware, software, networking, and cyber security.

The expected number of students to earn this certificate annually is 15.

The goal of the Automotive and IT Technician Certificate of Achievement is to provide students with foundational knowledge and skills required for entry-level employment in roles that support, maintain, and secure modern and next generation automotive vehicles in both the Automotive and IT fields. These job titles include auto technician, mechanic, computer networking support specialist, and information security analyst. 

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Describe the hardware, software, and networking components of modern and next generation automobiles.
• Maintain and secure modern vehicles with hardware and software tools.
• Set up the correct environment to use computer technology tools in an automotive repair shop.
• Identify and repair security threats to modern automotive systems with NextGen hardware, software, and physical tools.

The program requires the completion of 16 units (two automotive courses and four courses in computer networking and information technology).

Course	Units	SEQUENCE
AUTO 50 - Intro to Automotive Mechanics	3.00	Year 1 Fall
AUTO 180 - Reflashing and Factory Scan Tools for Technicians	3.00	Year 1 Spring
CNIT 106A - Introduction to Networking	1.00	Year 1 Fall
CNIT 100 - Intro to Computers Using PC's	3.00	Year 1 Fall
CNIT 131 - Internet Basics and Beginning HTML	3.00	Year 1 Fall
CNIT 182 - Securing Automotive Systems	3.00	Year 1 Spring
Total:	16.00

Automotive and IT Technician Certificate is the result of a collaboration between the California Community Colleges Advanced Transportation and Logistics Sector representatives and two departments at CCSF – AUTO and CNIT. Industry advisors from companies such as Tesla, Waymo and Cruise have advised the statewide sector navigators of the demand for students with the skills set built through this certificate.

This is the first certificate of its kind in California.