If you love cars and want a college education, CAP (College Automotive Program) may be the right choice for you. CAP is a nationwide effort of DaimlerChrysler to train and employ the industry’s best automotive technicians.
The CAP automotive program is available at 35 various schools in 27 different states across the country.
DaimlerChrysler believes in the value of trained technicians. They have worked closely with colleges to design a relevant curriculum. Therefore, CAP students must complete all coursework to receive a degree.
All CAP colleges are certified by ASE/NATEF (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence/National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation). Every CAP instructor is a DaimlerChrysler-trained, experienced professional. DaimlerChrysler provides the latest vehicles, components and instructional materials, plus high-tech diagnostic equipment, for hands-on training. Class size is limited to maintain a good instructor-to-student ratio. Qualified candidates who apply early are chosen first.
The average cost of the two-year associate’s degree in the CAP program is $10,500. To find out the specific cost of the nearest CAP program, contact the local CAP school coordinator for further details. A complete list of the CAP colleges can be located at www.cap.daimlerchrysler.com.
In addition to the college training, CAP provides valuable internship experience at a participating Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge or Jeep dealership, where students get on-site training under the direction of master technicians. Students rotate class time and internship until they fulfill the requirements of an associate’s degree in Automotive Service Technology (or similar).
“When I started the program I basically had little or no experience,” said Roger Chavez, CAP Graduate/Service Technician at South Bay Chrysler-Plymouth Jeep in Torrance, CA.
“I was in a high school automotive program where we learned small, basic things. Here at the program I learned so much just in the first nine weeks on brakes. I’ve always been the kind of person who takes things apart and wants to know how they work. I really enjoy working at the Chrysler dealer. It’s given me a lot of opportunities financially. I believe the CAP program is the best program in the country. If I can do it, you can do it.”
While at their internship, not only will students learn about repair procedures for DaimlerChrysler vehicles, but also dealership service operations. During the internship, students receive hourly wages and pay increases based on performance. Students are also eligible for optional bonuses from a Bonus Incentive Fund, established by sponsoring dealers to compensate students for continued employment, according to the terms of the agreement you chose.
Students can choose from a number of agreement options. The CAP Agreement is a two-year plan (A two-year internship, during which students are paid an hourly wage and are responsible for 100 percent of tuition and book costs).
The CAP Contract is a four-year plan (two-year internship and two-year employment commitment), which is similar to the CAP Agreement, except that the student and dealer share tuition and book costs.
If students live near a city with a CAP college (go to www.cap.daimlerchrysler.com for a listing of colleges), students can find a local sponsor and continue to attend the program while living at home. If there is no local CAP college, students can attend school in another city, finding sponsorship there. Housing assistance is available through many of the colleges.
Additional information on the CAP program can be obtained by visiting www.cap.daimlerchrysler.com, or by contacting a participating CAP college and asking for the CAP coordinator.
