Auto Mechanics often get a bad rap for inflating more than just tires. Southwestern Colleges venerable automotive department works to train mechanics on the road of ethics on a drive for integrity.
SWC'S Automotive Department is offering 18 classes this semester. They range from introduction to basic automotive service to industrial engine and repair. All classes are approved by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation, a non-profit accreditation organization that evaluates colleges and high schools across the U.S.
Led by full-time professors of automotive technology Jose Ibarra and David Preciado, the department operates on the philosophy that there are as many types of as there are cars. Preciado said it is important to be in tune with the students' learning styles.
"Every student is different," he said. "We as teachers need to be aware of the different learning styles, whatever it takes for them to get that information that they need to know."
Internships for advanced automotive students are available with Chula Vista automotive shops. Preciado said he is always on the prowl to make connections with local automotive shops.
"We have students participating as interns working side-by-side with the mechanics that work on fire engines and police cars," said Preciado. "The students are really loving it, because typically they wouldn't have the chance to put their hands on fire engines or police cars."
Other internships are available for SWC automotive students at Pepboys, Sears, private repair shops, and even the Shell station across from SWC. Veolia Transportation, a company that builds city buses and transit, is also an outlet for internships for students.
"It's great," said Joe Estrada, 59, retired parole agent returning to SWC after 22 years. "I've learned something else. I've saved a lot of money so far, I've done my own brakes, I've changed my radiator, I've changed my oil."
Estrada has become NATEF certified in welding and exhaust fabrication. SWC is the only community college in the state that provides a class specializing in exhaust fabrication, a hands-on experience with tig, mig and basic acetylene and oxygen torches. Custom exhausts are made with a pipe bender and three types of welding equipment.
Automotive students practice on mock-up engines, brake assemblies, transmissions and exhausts. Recycled engines, brake assemblies and transmissions used for mock-ups are donated by Dan Street, owner of West Auto Wreckers. Preciado said Street has been supporting the program for many years.
"Not only will he donate to us," said Preciado. "He will even deliver the components to us."
Not only is the opportunity to work on entire cars and mock-ups available, students can bring in their own projects as long as the tools are available. Students are able to do oil changes, install new brakes and even have the chance to rebuild their own engine.
"That's my rule," said Ibarra. "If I have the tools, I'll let you bring the motor that you want to rebuild."
NATEF requires students to work on cars no older than 10 years. To get around the inconvenience of buying new cars, the automotive department is open to the public for repairs.
"The car owner will benefit by having their car worked on for free," said Preciado. "The average labor rate at any repair shop is between $80 - $100 per hour."
SWC is an official smog training station licensed by the state. Smog training is available to the public and for employees of smog shops in Chula Vista. Naval personnel in Coronado also take short sessions.
Josh Johnson, 20, a mechanical engineering major, said he thinks highly of his automotive classes and relates his learning to his every day life.
"I think it's great," he said. "It's one of the few classes you can go to and you learn something new everyday. You can take it out and put it into the real world right away."
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