Waubonsee adds transportation service tech degree

Waubonsee Community College is expanding its automotive technology program.

Two programs were approved by the college's trustees Wednesday night. One of them, the 60-hour Automotive Transportation Service Technology program, will enable students to earn an associate's degree in applied science.

It is designed for students who will work in service management, parts management and alternative-fuel technology aspects of the automotive industry.

"This actual degree is to broaden and approach those students that are interested in being in the automotive industry, but aren't looking to be mechanics," said Suzette Murray, assistant vice president of career and technical education.

The program will be housed in the automotive technology portion of the Sugar Grove campus, Murray said.

"Obviously this is all market-driven," Trustee Jim Pilmer said. He said it could be a popular continuing-education program for people already working in the automotive industry.

The second program is 14-hour certificate of achievement in light-duty diesel repair.

Both programs will start in the fall.