The Riverland Community College Diesel Technology program on our Albert Lea Campus and our Collision Repair program on our Austin Campus have received certification by National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Besides Diesel Technology and Collision Repair, Riverland's Automotive Service Technology department (Albert Lea Campus), a program that trains students with the necessary skills for an entry-level position in the automotive industry, also has NATEF and ASE certifications.

"With these two programs receiving NATEF  and ASE certifications, all of Riverland's eligible transportation career programs now meet national skills standards as defined by industry technicians and service professionals," said Kari Busch, academic dean for career technical and allied health education. "This is an academic goal Riverland established college wide four years ago to make our graduates more desirable in whatever market they chose for their careers."

To achieve this coveted recognition, the transportation programs underwent rigorous evaluation by NATEF using nationally accepted standards of excellence in areas such as instruction and facilities.

Riverland's diesel technology program provides training to Medium/Heavy Truck technicians and nationally certified in the areas of Brake, Diesel Engines, Drive Train, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Hydraulics, Preventive Maintenance Inspection, and Suspension and Steering.

The Collision Repair program graduates repair, repaint and refinish damaged parts of the vehicle bodies and frames.

"We compliment Riverland for attaining the level of excellence recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)," said William A. Kersten, NATEF president. "Both the educational and automotive communities should be proud of [Riverland's] commitment to quality automotive training."

"This is great news for automotive-minded young people and their parents," said Donald Seyfer, NATEF chair. "Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that Riverland's graduates will be employable entry-level technicians. As a result of the quality education provided by Riverland, the motoring public will benefit since better repair technicians will join the work force."  Upon completion of the evaluation, NATEF recommended that ASE, a national non-profit organization that tests and certifies repair technicians, in addition to certifying automotive training programs, certify Riverland Community College.

Busch said, "During the past few months, Mike Bute and Doug Blom, the diesel technology instructors and Jim Jensen and Larry Peterson, collision repair instructors have been working closely with NATEF to make certain that our transportation programs meet the strict industry standards, and now both programs are extremely proud to join the ranks of the ASE certified training programs. Students will be assured of continued quality education and employers will be assured of high-quality technicians."

"By earning this certification, students and employers are assured that Riverland’s Diesel Technology program is training students to national skill standards set by industry," said Mike Bute, diesel technology instructor.