If you want a career as a mechanic, Surry Community College can send you on the road
to a bright future with the Automotive Systems Technology program.
Students learn how to apply technical knowledge and skills to repair, service, and maintain
all types of automobiles.
High school juniors and seniors can take Automotive Systems Technology classes tuition-free through
the Career & College Promise dual enrollment program.
Surry’s instructors are certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence.
Night classes are offered.
Hello, my name is David Weavil, and I am the Lead Automotive Instructor here for the Automotive
Systems Technology at Surry Community College.
Within this program, students learn to be successful automotive mechanics.
This is a very hands-on program.
The students do work in the classroom and learn the basics in the classroom through
lecture, but the majority of work is done in the shop through hands-on learning in the
lab setting here in the V-Building at Surry Community College.
Students learn how to do the basic service items such as rotate tires, oil changes, changing
cabin filters, transmission services and other routine car maintenance items.
Then, they learn how to replace the brake pads, repair electrical systems, work on automatic
and manual transmissions.
Students will know how to troubleshoot engine performance and make repairs to their cars
through the program.
They will also deal with suspension, steering and drive train issues along with learning
how to fix heating and air condition systems.
In the lab we do a variety of work.
One day we might be running a Power Balance Test on a car to determine what is making
it misfire.
Another day, we will be aligning cars.
We may be working on heating and air conditioning systems.
We may be working with electronics.
We also teach students about alternative fuel vehicles, hybrids and the most modern automotive
technology systems available.
One topic we work on or talk about is car hacking.
A modern car can be hacked – computer hacked, meaning that the car functions could be taken
over by an outside source, and that is a real concern in automotive technology.
And we do talk about that, deal with that and learn about that, as well as for instance
self-driving cars and how we believe that will be really big in the future.
We also take field trips to race shops, speedways, and some salvage yards to learn different
aspects of the automotive technology field.
Within the salvage yards, we do scavenger hunts to learn what different systems look
like on the cars.
They have to find certain items and how they differ from car to car.
Degree and diploma seeking students can enroll in Work-Based Learning, which allows them
to work for a company and earn college credit at the same time.
These students enjoy networking in the industry while also gaining experience with the top
of the line equipment right on campus.
One of the great things about Surry Community College is the state-of-the-art equipment
that we have here.
The guys behind me right now are using the snap-on MODIS, which is a cutting edge technology
for checking engine lights, scanning cars and things of that nature.
We also have a new front end alignment machine, a great tire balancer – lot of good equipment
here at Surry.
Students also learn proper and safe work practices as defined by OSHA for clothing, eye protection
and how to handle tools, power equipment, and the correct storage and disposal of chemicals.
We teach them how to run their own garages how to be employed as an automotive technicians
or shop foremen.
They also leave the Automotive System Technology program knowing how to communicate with their
employers and their customers about the repair and service needs.
Mechanics make about about $37,000 per year on average and have the freedom to go into
business for themselves or decide to work for someone.
My plans after graduating from Surry Community College is to work for a dealership.
I currently work right now, but I want to do a dealership after I graduate, and maybe
15 to 20 years from now build up enough money to own my own shop.
I love working with my hands.
That’s why I am in this program.
As a kid, I have always told myself, man, I am good with my hands.
What can I do to make with my hands?
As I grew older, I started liking vehicles and fast cars, and I have always wanted to
know what I can do to improve a vehicle or a car in general.
I love a lot of things about this program.
They teach us a lot, and I learn a lot from it too.
One of the most interesting things is how to align a car.
You go in a shop or you go to this dealership, and they work on your car, but you don’t
know exactly how they do it.
Until you are in it or experience it, it’s a total different world down there underneath
the car, and it’s amazing how you learn from it and how every vehicle, trucks, muscle
cars and sports cars are different.
Part of the reason I chose Surry other than any other college is because they’re always
on top of up-to-date new equipment.
For an example, it could be for the AC machine, alignment racks and tools, and tools especially…Good
thing I chose this college because they are up to date on tools.
Student Cory Moxley decided to commute to Surry Community College from his home because
he wanted the mechanics lab experience that wasn’t offered nearby.
The 40-minute drive was hard at first, but I knew the instructors here are great, the
equipment and stuff like that.
It’s really good learning experience and learning environment as well.
So that kept me going, coming to Surry.
It’s a lot of hands-on work, you know, you will be in the room studying up on subjects
whether it be brakes or engines, but three-quarters of the class is going to be out in the shop
– hands work.
That’s what I enjoy the most.
This is my friend’s Allen’s car.
Right now we are getting ready to rebuild the transmission.
We took it out.
It’s on a table in there in the transmission room, and next semester we have the manual
transmission class, so we are going to try to rebuild it there.
One of the coolest things we were doing…It was an engine repair class.
Mr. Weavil actually picked up a 350 engine from a junk yard that had a bad engine knock
with it.
So, what we did is, we completely stripped it down, re-bored the cylinders inside the
engine and got a full rebuild kit…So, it’s kind of cool to get to do stuff that is hands-on,
and it will actually pay off in the long end by someone actually getting to use it.
After I graduate, I probably am going to try to get in on a smaller shop.
I live in Sparta, so there are a few shops around there I could go to, maybe here in
Dobson even.
But, eventually, I want to work in a dealership.
Subaru is really what I am looking for.
I am really into Subarus, so anything to do with that would be something I would be happy
with.
Students can earn a degree, a diploma, or certificate in Automotive Systems Technology
at Surry Community College and can be prepared to take the National Institute of Automotive
Service Excellence exam when they graduate.
They will also be ready for full-time employment in dealerships and repair shops.
For more information, go to www.surry.edu.
You can also follow the program on Facebook @surryautomotive.