(SWEETWATER, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Automotive program has earned accreditation from the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, recognizing the Sweetwater program’s commitment to preparing students for careers in the automotive industry.
The accreditation follows a comprehensive evaluation of the program’s structure, instructional processes, facilities, resources and curriculum. ASE representatives conducted a strategic on-site review of the Sweetwater campus and confirmed the program meets national industry instructional standards.
“ASE accreditation demonstrates that our program aligns with today’s industry expectations,” said Ty Liedtke, an instructor in the program. “We remain focused on delivering high-quality training and producing skilled technicians the industry can rely on.”
Corbyn Spaulding, the program’s lab assistant, said the review process validated the team’s efforts.
“It was rewarding to see our work recognized at that level,” Spaulding said. “The visit confirmed that our facilities and instruction meet professional standards.”
Local industry partners who participated in the certification process said the accreditation strengthens the workforce pipeline.
“We know students graduating from an ASE-accredited program can step into the workplace with a strong foundation,” said Larry Cluff, general manager of Stanley Ford in Sweetwater. “That reduces onboarding time and allows employers to focus on advanced training.”
Jose Rosado, owner of Rosado’s Wrecker Service in Sweetwater, said graduates benefit from the credibility the accreditation provides.
“Instead of explaining what they know, they can demonstrate it,” Rosado said. “That gives them a competitive advantage when entering the workforce.”
Cluff also encouraged other Stanley dealerships to consider hiring TSTC graduates, noting the quality of preparation students receive. Stanley Ford in Sweetwater currently employs three TSTC graduates.
“Ty does a phenomenal job preparing students,” Cluff said. “Graduates arrive with a strong base of technical knowledge.”
ASE accreditation is awarded for a five-year period. To maintain accreditation, programs must regularly review their operations and demonstrate continued compliance with ASE standards.
The Sweetwater campus joins TSTC’s Harlingen and Waco campuses in earning ASE accreditation.
The need for qualified automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to grow in Texas over the next several years. According to onetonline.org, Texas employs more than 72,000 of these technicians around the state, and that number was forecast to top 82,000 by 2032. The website stated that the average annual salary for a technician in the state is $48,6600.
TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology and an Automotive Technician certificate of completion at the Fort Bend, Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses.
To learn more or about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
