Honda Automotive Technician (CA)

The Honda Automotive Technician certification from Solano Community College is awarded with a Honda Motor Co. partnership. This is a dealership supported program that aligns itself with the Honda PACT requirements. Recipients of this certificate will have received special training from Honda and Acura. Training is not limited to special tools, practices, procedures, company culture and cutting edge technology. 

Students must interview with program faculty and be selected for the program prior to enrollment.

The Certificate of Completion can be obtained by the successful completion of the 41-unit major. All courses within the major must be completed with a minimum grade of C or a P if taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. 

Year 1: 5-10
Year 2:10-16
Established: 16-24

The Honda Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement program prepares students for entry-level employment and career advancement within Honda and Acura dealership service departments through participation in the Honda PACT. In alignment with the mission of California Community Colleges, the program provides career technical education that supports workforce development, industry partnerships, and student success.

The program aims to:

• Develop manufacturer-specific competencies aligned with Honda and Acura service standards and procedures.
• Prepare students for employment within dealership service environments through hands-on and work-based learning experiences.
• Support student transition into the automotive workforce through industry partnerships and internship opportunities.
• Promote professionalism, technical accuracy, and adherence to manufacturer and industry standards.
• Foster continuous learning and adaptability to evolving automotive technologies, including hybrid and advanced vehicle systems.

The Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement is designed to support the college's mission by providing students with accessible, high-quality career technical education that prepares them for employment, career advancement, and lifelong learning in the automotive service and repair industry. The program contributes to the college’s commitment to workforce development by equipping students with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and critical-thinking abilities necessary to succeed in a rapidly evolving transportation sector.
This revised program aligns with the California Community Colleges mission as established in Education Code Section 66010.4 by offering career education that responds to regional workforce needs while supporting student achievement and economic mobility. The program provides comprehensive instruction in automotive diagnostics, maintenance, repair, and emerging vehicle technologies, preparing graduates for employment in independent repair facilities, dealership service departments, fleet maintenance operations, and related transportation industries.
The Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement provides students with a comprehensive pathway for developing industry-relevant technical skills and competencies. The certificate incorporates foundational and advanced automotive coursework, including instruction in maintenance and light repair, electrical and electronic systems, automatic transmissions and transaxles, engine performance, diagnostics, and manufacturer-specific training opportunities, including participation in the Honda PACT pathway where applicable. This stackable credential structure allows students to develop specialized competencies while earning industry-recognized credentials that support workforce entry and career advancement.
The revised curriculum reflects recommendations identified through the college’s program review process and consultation with the Automotive Technology Advisory Committee. Faculty, administrators, and industry representatives reviewed course content, student learning outcomes, labor market trends, and employer expectations to ensure the program's continued relevance. Advisory committee members, including industry partners associated with Honda PACT, emphasized the growing importance of advanced diagnostics, electrical and electronic systems, hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, vehicle communication networks, manufacturer-specific service procedures, and professional workplace competencies. These recommendations have been incorporated into the revised curriculum.
The program fulfills a documented workforce need within the college service area and the surrounding region. Automotive service employers, including dealership partners affiliated with manufacturer training programs such as Honda PACT, continue to report demand for qualified technicians who possess strong diagnostic, analytical, and technical skills. The increasing complexity of modern vehicle systems has created a need for technicians who can diagnose and repair integrated mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems. The revised certificate is designed to meet these workforce demands while supporting regional economic development.
The program does not create undue competition with neighboring colleges. Rather, it complements existing automotive technology offerings in the region by providing students with additional educational opportunities and supporting local employers' demand for skilled technicians, including those entering manufacturer-specific career pathways, such as Honda dealership service environments.
Dedicated laboratory facilities, classroom space, instructional equipment, diagnostic tools, service information systems, and industry-standard training vehicles currently support the Automotive Technology program. Existing facilities are sufficient to support the implementation of the revised program. Ongoing equipment replacement and technology upgrades are funded through established program budgets, grant opportunities, industry partnerships, including manufacturer-supported training relationships such as Honda PACT, and other institutional resources. No major facility renovations or expenditures exceeding the Chancellor’s Office reporting thresholds are required because of this curriculum revision.
The revised program remains open to all eligible students and complies with California Community College open enrollment requirements as specified in Title 5 regulations. Any work-based learning, internship, dealership partnership, or manufacturer-sponsored training opportunities associated with the program, including those associated with Honda PACT, supplement classroom and laboratory instruction and do not restrict student access to program enrollment.
Through continuous program review, industry engagement, and curriculum improvement, the Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement will continue to provide students with the technical expertise, professional skills, and workforce preparation necessary for successful employment and career advancement within the automotive service and repair industry.

This program will only stand to support and diversify the current Automotive program. The current advisory board requested these developments to help address the technician shortage. No other programs will be affected by the creation of this program. 

There are no similar programs within a reasonable commuting distance. A program that offers the Honda Pact is Evergreen Valley College, which is located 74 miles away. Butte College, which is 131 miles away from our location. Students facing transportation issues would be negatively affected. This certificate allows students to work at a Honda dealership, where they will gain work experience and pay while participating in the Honda Pact program.