New Brunswick Community College (Bathurst) & Durham College Programs Accredited

The CARS National Accreditation Board (CNAB) of directors recently awarded national accreditation to two more post-secondary programs.

The two-year Automotive Service Technician and Management Program at Durham College (Whitby, Ontario) and the one-year Automotive Service Technician program offered at the Bathurst Campus of NBCC both successfully went through the rigorous program evaluation process.

The accreditation of the AST program offered at Bathurst marks the first French language program accredited thus far by CNAB.

To-date, twelve motive power post-secondary programs across Canada have successfully challenged the stringent industry set national evaluation standards and have achieved full accreditation status.

The members of the board agree that any nationally accredited motive power post-secondary programs will develop graduates with the necessary growth potential to cope successfully with the ever-increasing skills and knowledge requirements for today’s and tomorrow’s workplace.

Robert Bean, CNAB Chair, commented that industry’s commitment to its future workforce is evident through initiatives such as the CARS National Accreditation Program.

“Because industry was involved in the development of the accreditation process and the reference standards and because CNAB continues to play a crucial role in the evalua- tions of the respective school programs, employers will be assured of capable graduates from accredited post-secondary programs with essential employa- bility skills development potential.”

It is no coincidence therefore, that the board has recently approved the design of a pin and crest for distribution to students of accredited programs showing a winding career path and highlighted by two powerful messages: “Skills for Life” and “Pursuing Excellence in the Motive Power Industry”.

The CNAB chair concluded that, “everyone on the board understands the importance of education and training and thus is fully committed to the accreditation process and its benefits in support of industry’s future workforce requirements.”