The automotive training program at Okaloosa Technical College (OTC) in Fort Walton Beach has again received ASE Training Program accreditation from the ASE Education Foundation, meeting rigorous industry standards for instruction, facilities and equipment.

“ASE accreditation is the best standard an automotive program can hold,” said OTC Director Jon Williams. “I am proud of our instructors and staff who met this high bar on behalf of their current and future students.”

• With this designation, Williams says OTC will continue to be a great place to become certified and ready-for-work in the automotive industry for many years to come.

Superintendent Marcus Chambers also commended OTC staff. “We must provide opportunities for students to succeed and learn skillsets like the automotive program, which bridges the community’s needs,” Chambers said. “I commend the OTC staff for this fantastic achievement. This is a win-win for OTC, our students, and our community partners”

Michael Coley, ASE Education Foundation president, said the accreditation benefits students and the community. “Because this program increases cooperation between local education and industry leaders, it gives added assurance that OTC’s graduates will be employable entry-level technicians,” Coley said.

OTC’s lead automotive instructor, James Welch, added, “During the past few months, our automotive program staff has worked closely with the ASE Education Foundation to make certain that our program would meet strict industry standards, and now we are proud to continue as an ASE accredited training program.

• Welch thanked local automotive businesses Step One Chrysler of Crestview and Holmes Auto Repair of Fort Walton Beach for assisting with the evaluation. “OTC students will be assured a quality education, and shop owners will be assured of getting quality job applicants,” Welch said.

Upon completing the evaluation, OTC had its accreditation renewed by the ASE Education Foundation, a nonprofit that evaluates and accredits technician training programs against auto industry standards.