Ford Mechanic Schools

There are multiple paths to become a Ford Mechanic. Find out whether the Ford ASSET or the Ford FACT program is right for you.

Become a Ford Mechanic

There are two major programs that are offered at schools all across the country to get you on the way to becoming a Ford auto mechanic, the Ford FACT program and the Ford ASSET program. Whether you desire to work on the heavy-duty F-150 or the American muscle icon, the Mustang, each of these programs will get you there. It just depends how you want to get there, what kind of certification you want and how you want to learn.

Ford FACT Program

The Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) is a fast-track program designed specifically for the Universal Technical Institute (UTI). Through this partnership, UTI is given the ability to teach and award its FACT students all the training and certifications needed to be an auto mechanic specializing in Ford automobiles.

This training is a 15-week hands on program where you will work in one of 10 facilities designed and equipped just like a Ford dealership so students can become familiar with the setting before finding a job at any of the 3,200+ Ford and Lincoln dealers across the U.S. Whether you desire to only work on Ford vehicles or you are on a path to becoming a Master Technician, the FACT course can get you on your way.

You can find the FACT Program offered at schools in the following states:

Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas

Ford ASSET Program

The Ford ASSET program is a two year course which provides students with classroom training paired with in-dealership training. When in the program, you will see that you will spend six to eight weeks in the classroom then switch for the next six to eight weeks to working in a Ford or Lincoln dealership. Students are expected to earn their own sponsorship so that they can complete the in-dealer training portion of the course.

This alternation will occur all throughout the two year program to result in the earning of an Associate’s Degree and great experience of working in a dealership. Along with all of this, the ASSET program is a rarity as it has this paid internship built into the program allowing students to pay off their school while they learn as well as create a long lasting relationship with a dealer that can turn into a full-time career.

You can find the Ford ASSET Program offered at schools in the following states:

Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin

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Steps and Qualifications to Become a Ford Mechanic through FACT

Course Objectives

Here’s what you can expect to learn in the FACT program:

 

  • Electrical systems: SYNC, multiplexing, networks, module reprogramming, anti-theft, navigation, speed control, supplemental restraints
  • Quick service and light repair technician training
  • Advanced climate control system and diagnosis
  • Basic and electronic steering and suspension
  • Basic and diesel engine repair
  • Noise vibration and harshness diagnosis
  • Engine performance and theory
  • Advanced brake system diagnosis and repair

Qualifications

Qualifications to enter the FACT program are one of the following:

 

  • Core Program Training
    • All automotive courses except ADTA-102, ADTA-103, ADTA-125, ADTA-129, ADTA-135
  • Core Program Training: Technology II
    • All Automotive courses except AT12-150, AT12-151, AT12-203, AT12-204
  • Core Program Training: NASCAR Tech Campus Only
    • All Automotive Technology courses except ADTA-125, ADTA-135, ADTN-140, ADTN-141

Licensing & Certifications

The FACT program allows students to earn up to 10 Ford Instructor-led class credentials with over 80 required web-based credentials. This will result in students earning certifications in 9 different Ford areas. Along with this, students have the option to earn their Quick Lane certification through Ford’s Quick Service and Light Repair Technician training course within the FACT program. Upon completion of the course, students are rewarded with their own Ford STARS ID which will track their training history so it is always available for future employers.

Job Outlook

Students coming out of the FACT program at UTI can expect great opportunities for jobs as UTI is one of the most prestigious technical schools in the nation. This along with the fact that Ford holds the second largest market share in the United States means that graduates of the FACT program will be able to find a job at more than 3,200 Ford and Lincoln dealerships and over 800 Quick Lane Tire & Auto Centers.

FACT Frequently Asked Questions

Can students change sessions in which they are enrolled if their circumstances change?

According to the Universal Technical Institute, student requests to move to another session will be evaluated based on the reason for the request and class availability.

What kind of certifications or degrees will I earn?

Graduates from the FACT program at UTI will earn either a diploma or an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) degree. This depends on which campus you choose as well as your choices of additional certifications that you want to earn.

Is accreditation important? Is UTI accredited?

Accreditation is important as it holds educational institutions accountable for their ability to teach through a system of comprehensive evaluations from an unbiased third-party. This evaluation is done through an established set of criteria which is used at each school that is evaluated. All UTI locations are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Ford Mechanic Schools offering ASSET

You’ll find the Ford ASSET program offered at all of these mechanic schools:

Central Maine Community College

Columbus State Community College

Community College of Allegheny County

Community College of Baltimore County - Catonsville

Des Moines Area Community College

Erie Community College South Campus

Glendale Community College

Rowan College at Gloucester County

Lawson State Community College

Leeward Community College

Longview Community College

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Morrisville State College

Mt. Hood Community College

New Mexico Junior College

Oklahoma State University

Pennsylvania College of Technology

Renton Technical College

San Jacinto College

Seminole State College

Sheridan Technical College

Southeast Community College

Spartanburg Community College

St. Philip's College

Manchester Community College

Gateway Community & Technical College

Ranken Technical College

Tidewater Community College

Rockland Community College

Cuyahoga Community College

ASSET Locations

Brookhaven College – Texas

Central Maine Community College – Maine

Cerritos College – California

Columbus State Community College – Ohio

Community College of Allegheny County – Pennsylvania

Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville – Maryland

Cosumnes River College – California

Cuyamaca College – California

Delgado Community College – Louisiana

Des Moines Area Community College – Iowa

Erie Community College South Campus – New York

Glendale Community College – Arizona

Rowan College at Gloucester County – New Jersey

Guilford Technical Community College – North Carolina

Hennepin Technical College – Minnesota

Henry Ford College – Michigan

Lawson State Community College – Alabama

Leeward Community College – Hawaii

Longview Community College – Missouri

Milwaukee Area Technical College – Wisconsin

Morrisville State College – New York

Mt. Hood Community College – Oregon

New Mexico Junior College – New Mexico

Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma

Parkland College – Illinois

Pennsylvania College of Technology – Pennsylvania

Renton Technical College – Washington

San Jacinto College – Texas

Seminole State College – Florida

Sheridan Technical College – Florida

Southeast Community College – Nebraska

Spartanburg Community College – South Carolina

St. Philip’s College – Texas

Manchester Community College – New Hampshire

Gateway Community & Technical College – Kentucky

Ranken Technical College – Missouri

Tidewater Community College – Virginia

Rockland Community College – New York

Cuyahoga Community College – Ohio

Brookhaven College – Texas
Central Maine Community College – Maine
Cerritos College – California
Columbus State Community College – Ohio Community College of Allegheny County – Pennsylvania
Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville – Maryland
Cosumnes River College – California
Cuyamaca College – California
Delgado Community College – Louisiana
Des Moines Area Community College – Iowa
Erie Community College South Campus – New York Glendale Community College – Arizona
Rowan College at Gloucester County – New Jersey Guilford Technical Community College – North Carolina
Hennepin Technical College – Minnesota
Henry Ford College – Michigan
Lawson State Community College – Alabama Leeward Community College – Hawaii
Longview Community College – Missouri
Milwaukee Area Technical College – Wisconsin Morrisville State College – New York
Mt. Hood Community College – Oregon
New Mexico Junior College – New Mexico
Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma
Parkland College – Illinois
Pennsylvania College of Technology – Pennsylvania Renton Technical College – Washington
San Jacinto College – Texas
Seminole State College – Florida
Sheridan Technical College – Florida
Southeast Community College – Nebraska Spartanburg Community College – South Carolina
St. Philip’s College – Texas
Manchester Community College – New Hampshire
Gateway Community & Technical College – Kentucky Ranken Technical College – Missouri
Tidewater Community College – Virginia
Rockland Community College – New York
Cuyahoga Community College – Ohio

Steps and Qualifications to Become a Ford Mechanic through ASSET

Course Objectives

Here’s what you can expect to learn in the FACT program:

 

  • Electrical systems: SYNC, multiplexing, networks, module reprogramming, anti-theft, navigation, speed control, supplemental restraints
  • Quick service and light repair technician training
  • Advanced climate control system and diagnosis
  • Basic and electronic steering and suspension
  • Basic and diesel engine repair
  • Noise vibration and harshness diagnosis
  • Engine performance and theory
  • Advanced brake system diagnosis and repair

How to Qualify

Qualifications to enter the Ford ASSET program vary slightly from school to school but mostly include:

 

  • Orientation, passing of a general test, or an interview
  • Background check
  • Drug test (required by dealerships)
  • High School Diploma or GED
  • Valid Driver’s License
    • Must have less than three points
  • Sponsorship by a Ford Motor Company Dealership (Ford, Lincoln, or Fleet shop)

Licensing & Certifications

Upon graduation of the Ford ASSET program, students will then take a state or nationally approved exam to gain their Ford industry certification or license. Along with this, graduates will earn an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Technology while they gain their Ford specialization. Along with these two, students who graduate from the ASSET program will have almost an entire year of work experience in a Ford or Lincoln dealership which most other graduating students with a general degree will not have.

Job Outlook

As Ford is one of the top auto manufacturers and dealers in the United States, there is always a demand for specialized Ford technicians. The Ford ASSET program gives its graduates extremely valuable work experience within the dealer setting which will be very beneficial when searching for a job upon graduation. Many students even continue to work full-time at their sponsored dealer as the relationship has already been built. Graduates from the ASSET often take roles in:

 

 

  • General Technicians
  • Master Technicians
  • Specialists
    • Front-end alignment
    • Brakes
    • Automatic/Manual transmissions

ASSET Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the ASSET program?

The ASSET program is a 2-year program that blends classroom, lab, and in-dealer work experience to create a unique learning environment. When graduated, students will have about one full year of work experience at a Ford dealer.

What do I get out of the program?

ASSET graduates can expect to earn an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Mechanics Technology and up to eight automotive certificates. They will get up to 100% of the Ford Service Technician Specialty Training certifications. Graduates will earn their Bureau of Automotive Repair certified training to obtain the CA Smog Check Inspector and/or Repair Technician licenses. Lastly, students will earn valuable compensation during their work experience sessions.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the program varies from school to school. Some schools charge as little as $5,000 while some can charge up to $20,000. Even on top of tuition fees, costs can accrue from tools, books, and other fees so be sure to keep an eye out for total costs when making your school decision. Keep in mind, you will be earning money during the program through your sponsored internship at a Ford dealer which will help cut the cost if needed.