Program Overview

---

Program Overview

A diploma from the Automotive Technician – Service and Management (Motive Power Technician) program is your key to a world of opportunity in a high-tech, challenging industry where graduates are in high-demand. Our program focuses on hands-on learning guided by experienced, trade-certified faculty. Graduates of this program can go on to specialize in a variety of motive power careers including automotive, truck and coach, off-road equipment, marine and small engines, stationary equipment and diesel engines. This program also includes the essential business skills to help you find the right job with the right employer. Graduates fast-track their careers in the industry as they are eligible for exemption from the Level 1 and 2 of the in-school requirements for AST 310S apprenticeship training.

Intakes and Availability

• Date: September 2025
• Domestic Availability: Open
• International Availability: Open

Program Highlights

• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English, (C or U)
• Grade 12 Mathematics (C, M or U)

Recommended

• Technical Mathematics

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.

DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:

• Grade 12 Math (MAP4C equivalent)
• Grade 12 English (ENG4C equivalent)
• Grade 11 Biology (SBI3C equivalent)
• Grade 12 Chemistry (SCH4C equivalent)

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Auto Workshop Practices 1 (AUTO 1101)
• Auto Basic Skills (AUTO 1102)
• Auto Directional and Control Systems 1 (AUTO 1103)
• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Computer Information and Trade Software (COMP 1114)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Mathematics 1 (MATH 1116)

Co-operative Education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.

Career Options

• Automotive technician
• Automotive audio technician
• Automotive parts counterperson
• Heavy equipment technician
• Race mechanic
• Automotive journalist
• Tire and lube technician
• Sales representative

Program Details

This program will give you the skills and training required to pursue a variety of careers in the transportation and automotive fields. As a graduate, you will be prepared to enter the motive power trades with highly skilled trade qualifications and essential business communication, marketing and interpersonal skills. Successful completion of this program will enable you to:

• Create work orders related to the motive power trade and industry
• Diagnose motive power engines, electrical/fuel systems, motive power drive line, directional control systems (steering, suspension and brakes) and air conditioning
• Search and find parts/service information from manuals and computerized systems
• Apply proper disposal, storage and handling practices as they pertain to environmental legislation
• Understand management principles such as business structure, accounting, human resources management and parts/supply management

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze, diagnose, and solve various motive power system problems by using problem-solving and critical thinking skills and strategies and by applying fundamental knowledge of motor vehicle operation, components, and their interrelationships.
2. Diagnose and repair climate control systems in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
3. Diagnose and repair engine systems in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
4. Diagnose and repair electrical, electronic, personal safety, and emission components and systems in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
5. Diagnose and repair drive train components and systems in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
6. Diagnose and repair suspension, steering, and brake components and systems in compliance with manufacturers’ recommendations.
7. Disassemble and assemble components to required specifications by applying workshop skills and knowledge of basic shop practices.
8. Select and use a variety of troubleshooting techniques and test equipment to assess electronic circuits, vehicle systems, and subsystems.
9. Apply knowledge of hydraulics and pneumatics to the testing and analysis of motive power systems and subsystems.
10. Communicate information effectively, credibly, and accurately by producing supporting documentation to appropriate standards.
11. Use information technology and computer skills to support work in a motive power environment.
12. Prepare, support, maintain, and communicate data from log, record, and documentation systems.
13. Apply business practices, project management skills, and communication skills to improve customer service.
14. Assist in quality-control and quality-assurance programs and procedures.
15. Develop and use personal and professional strategies and plans to improve professional growth, job performance, and work relationships.
16. Complete all assigned work in compliance with occupational, health, safety, and environmental law; established policies and procedures; codes and regulations; and in accordance with ethical principles.

Courses

Semester 1

• Auto Workshop Practices 1 (AUTO 1101)
• Auto Basic Skills (AUTO 1102)
• Auto Directional and Control Systems 1 (AUTO 1103)
• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Computer Information and Trade Software (COMP 1114)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Mathematics 1 (MATH 1116)

Semester 2

• Auto Drive Lines Performance 1 (AUTO 1200)
• Auto Electricity and Electronics 1 (AUTO 1201)
• Auto Motive Power Engines 1 (AUTO 1202)
• Auto Engine Performance 1 (AUTO 1203)
• Auto Business 1 (ENTR 1203)
• Trade Math (MATH 1209)
• Auto-Interpersonal Skills (SOCI 1201)
• Automotive Welding (WELD 1200)

Semester 3

• Auto Workshop Practices 2 (AUTO 2101)
• Auto Electricity and Electronics 2 (AUTO 2102)
• Auto Engine Performance 2 (AUTO 2103)
• Auto Business 2 (ENTR 2101)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Environment Impact and Legislation (LAWW 2103)

Semester 4

• Auto Drive Line Performance 2 (AUTO 2200)
• Auto Motive Power Engines 2 (AUTO 2201)
• Auto-Directional and Control Systems (AUTO 2202)
• Business Planning and Analysis (ENTR 2207)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)

Course Delivery

In person

Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.

Costs

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks. There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

Automotive Technician - Service and Management (Motive Power Technician)

Year 1 Costs

• Semester 1:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $808.26
  • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
  • Total: $3,093.05
• Semester 2:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $0
  • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
  • Total: $1,974.79

Year 2 Costs

• Semester 3:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $184.5
  • Ancillary Fee: $474.19
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
  • Total: $2,449.71
• Semester 4:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $0
  • Ancillary Fee: $474.19
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
  • Total: $1,955.21

Scholarships Available

Learn more about two amazing scholarship opportunities for students enrolled in full-time certificate and diploma programs in some of the most in-demand skilled trades fields:

• Canerector Scholarships – 10 valued at up to $5,000 each
• Schulich Builders Scholarships – 10 valued at up to $40,000 each

Career Options

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

• Automotive technician
• Automotive audio technician
• Automotive parts counterperson
• Heavy equipment technician
• Race mechanic
• Automotive journalist
• Tire and lube technician
• Sales representative

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

• Auto parts stores
• Automotive service companies
• Car dealerships
• Industrial equipment supply
• Government or fleet operations

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Durham College also offers degree completion opportunities with a several Canadian and international institutions. Sample diploma-to-degree opportunities include:

• Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) bridge – Ontario Tech University (Ontario Tech)
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – Educational Studies and Digital Technology – Ontario Tech
• Bachelor of Business Administration (General Business) - Davenport University

Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Tech Requirements

To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.

• Processor: i7
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

Co-operative Education (co-op)

The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.

Effective September 2022, students in the Automotive Technician – Service and Management Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.

Supports are available through the Experiential Learning office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Experiential Learning office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.

Program Sequence

Fall (September to December)	Winter (January to April)	Summer (May to August)
Year 1	Academic semester 1	Academic semester 2	Co-op work term
Year 2	Academic semester 3	Academic semester 4

Co-op Administrative Fee

Once transferred to the co-op option of this program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.