Need quality automotive technicians? Or are you looking for a program that will give you a head start in your automotive career? Then look no further than Ranken Technical College. For nearly 100 years, Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO, has been a leader in automotive training. This private, nonprofit institution was founded in 1907 to educate, train, and prepare students for employment and advancement in several technical fields. Over the years, the St. Louis campus has grown to almost 23 acres of classrooms, labs, shops, administrative offices, and grounds—all designed to maximize hands-on learning in the fields of automotive, electrical, construction, information technology, and manufacturing.
Whether automotive students want to work on racecars, big rigs, or the latest electric vehicles, Ranken provides the training, experience, and degree or certificate they need to get the job they want. Students can select a program in collision repair, high-performance racing technology, diesel, or general automotive maintenance. The highly experienced and knowledgeable staff of instructors at Ranken is a large part of its success. Instructors like John Shoffner bring years of experience to the classroom and combine it with up-to-date teaching methods to mold a student that is wanted by the industry. These instructors have unique abilities to get the very best from their students, leading them to successful careers.
According to Ranken President Stan Shoun, for every two technicians that are retiring, only one is coming into the industry. He continually hears that employers are having great difficulties finding techs.
“The average vehicle today has 30 microprocessors on board, and as technology and electronics continue to influence the automotive industry, many automobile dealerships and independent repair shops are in need of skilled technicians capable of solving new and complex problems,” says Shoun.
To meet this need, Ranken offers an Automotive Maintenance Technology (AMT) program that provides students with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required by leading automotive manufacturers and service facilities. The program is certified by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) which is a branch of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and an industry benchmark of automotive certification.
Ranken students have the opportunity to serve in paid internships in nine different areas while they earn their degrees.
As part of the General Program’s Pro-Tech Program, Ranken students earn valuable experience with Audi and Subaru dealerships. Students can also choose to specialize in the Ford ASSET, GM ASEP, Honda PACT, and Toyota T-Ten Certified Dealership Technician Programs. Each program is tailored to meet the partner’s training standards and to provide students with the right skills for real-world success.
Shoun says that these programs benefit both the students and the employers. Students gain skills and experience. Employers train their future workforce and get a head start on recruiting the best new technicians. They also feel confident knowing Ranken graduates are ready to contribute to their team from day one.
The campus features more than 105,000-square feet of automotive shops with the latest tools and technologies. In the school’s automotive collision repair department, students repair, refinish, and restore damaged cars to pre-accident condition. In the automotive maintenance technology department, students disassemble engines as well as diagnose and repair systems. Utilizing 60-plus frame and body mount lifts, students can work on steering, suspension, brakes, and tires. Students in the high-performance racing technology program machine and modify LS1 engines. All engines are dyno tested by students to measure force and torque of each engine.
Ranken routinely attracts accolades for its achievements such as being named 2016 School of the Year in a national competition for automotive educational excellence, and for its student’s successes in SkillsUSA, SuperMileage, and other competitions. Faculty members, however, cite job placement as their greatest source of pride.
“We are told that our graduates are lightyears ahead of other new hires,” says Shoun. “By teaching the technical and problem-solving skills employers are looking for, we help our students come out of school prepared and ready to be hired and succeed professionally.”
Ranken also offers automotive programs at their Wentzville, MO, location. There are just over 300 students enrolled in Ranken’s automotive associate and certificate degree programs.