Frequently Asked Questions About CASE
1. What is CASE?
Continuing Automotive Service Education (CASE) is a voluntary
ASE certification program for training entities that provide continuing
education to working automotive technicians. The National Automotive
Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) administers the program;
the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
grants the certification.
2. What are the benefits of CASE?
For the training provider:
- The CASE application process serves as tool for program
improvement;
- ASE certification provides recognition that the training
organization has been reviewed against industry established
and endorsed standards, and approved by peers; and
- Use of ASE’s CASE logo in promotional materials, upon certification.
Technicians will ultimately gain the most from CASE. As more
training providers complete the certification process, technicians
will find it easier to locate quality training that will meet
their needs.
3. Who can certify under CASE?
Since the Standards are based on the provider’s process
of instruction, the CASE program is appropriate for all automotive
training providers. Automobile or truck original equipment manufacturers,
aftermarket manufacturers/suppliers, independent trainers, in-house
fleet training, etc., are eligible for ASE certification under
this program.
4. How do you certify; what are the steps?
There are two major steps: 1) the application process, and 2)
an on-site visit. While completing the application, which serves
as a self-evaluation, the training provider reviews and documents
its process of instruction and has the opportunity to make improvements.
Once the completed application has been reviewed and approved
by NATEF, an on-site Evaluation Team visits the training provider
to validate the information in the application. This visit also
allows the training provider the opportunity to share information
that is not easily included in the written application.
5. How much does it cost?
CASE Standards can be obtained free of charge from NATEF. The
materials required to begin the certification process can be purchased
from NATEF for $150. These materials include the Standards
and Guidelines for Certifying Providers of Continuing Automotive
Service Education and the CASE Application. An application
fee of $750 is due with submission of the CASE Application. Additionally,
there is an annual fee of $150 due at the beginning of each subsequent
year.
The training provider will also be responsible for the honoraria
($225 each member) and travel expenses of the on-site team. Travel
cost will vary; however, NATEF will work with the training provider
on an individual basis to keep all travel costs to a minimum.
Where possible, local ETLs and team members will be used.
6. How many team members are required for the on-site visit?
As a general rule, two (2) team members will be used -- an Evaluation
Team Leader (ETL) and one team member. If the training provider
has four or more training sites, more than ten instructors, or
has a very complex training network, a third team member may be
required. If a third team member is required, the training provider
may identify an individual to serve on the team. The third team
member must, however, meet the qualifying criteria listed in the
Standards and Guidelines for Certifying Providers of Continuing
Automotive Service Education.
7. Are there different levels of certification?
No. There are, however, designations for instructor-led instruction
and stand-alone self-study instruction.
Under a special program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy,
there are provisions for alternative fuel vehicle technician training
providers to receive recognition under the CHAMP program (Certification
of Higher-learning in Alternative Motorfuels Program).
8. Are the instructors certified under CASE?
No. ASE certifies the training provider (an entity) that meets
the CASE Standards. An instructor (an individual) is one piece
of that entity.
9. Are the actual courses or the course materials certified?
No. ASE certifies the training provider, not the actual CASE
Activities. Once ASE-certified, the CASE provider may identify
to its prospective students which course offerings were developed
and delivered according to the CASE Standards.
10. If I’m an independent trainer, using the courseware developed
by an ASE-certified CASE provider, am I therefore an ASE-certified
provider and are my courses CASE Activities?
No. It would be necessary for you, as a training provider, to
obtain your own ASE certification for CASE.
Since the CASE Standards define a closed-loop process which leads
to continuous improvement, the training provider must be able
to take any necessary corrective actions throughout the period
in which they offer the activity. Once the activity is no longer
under the control of the ASE-certified CASE provider, the activity
can no longer be considered a CASE Activity. ASE certifies the
training provider, not an activity or the training material. Therefore,
certification is not transferable through the training material.
11. Is it CASE-Certified or ASE-Certified?
It’s ASE-certified. ASE is the organization that grants the certification.
12. Who are the ETLs?
ETLs, or Evaluation Team Leaders, are experienced automotive
in-service educators/trainers who have been trained by NATEF to
lead the on-site evaluation process. Persons selected as CASE
ETLs must have a minimum of ten years of automotive experience.
At least five of those years of experience must be in in-service
education/training development and/or delivery. The CASE ETL selected
for a particular evaluation may not be a current or former employee
of the training provider.
For approximately the first year of the CASE program, the CASE
ETL will either be a NATEF technical staff person or an In-service
Training Committee (ITC) member.
13. Who are the evaluation team members?
Evaluation team members are experienced automotive in-service
educators/trainers. Individuals selected as team members must
have a minimum of eight years of automotive experience. At least
four years of experience should be in education/training development
and/or delivery. Team members may not be current or former employees
of the training provider undergoing evaluation.
14. What’s the In-service Training Committee (ITC)?
The ITC is a committee that was appointed by the NATEF Board
of Trustees to oversee the development and implementation of the
CASE program. Members of the committee include ASE and NATEF Board
members, as well as non-board members.
15. How can I become an ETL?
NATEF periodically conducts ETL training session throughout the
country. Those who have attended the training and meet the CASE
ETL requirements must first gain experience as a team member before
serving as the team leader. If you wish to become a CASE ETL and
you meet the qualification requirements (see related question
above), please contact the NATEF office for current information.
16. Can an ETL evaluate a training provider if he/she is
not an expert in the content (technology) of the training provider’s
courses?
Yes. The CASE Standards address the training provider’s process,
not the content of the training activities.
17. I’m a small, one-person, training provider and I deliver
all of my training at the client’s location. I don’t have a training
facility of my own. Can I certify under CASE?
Yes, if you meet the standards. Many training providers, large
and small, deliver training at remote locations. Sometimes, training
will take place in someone else’s training facility and, at other
times, right in a client’s repair shop. The key is that the facility
is conducive to learning, given the nature of the activity and
the number of students.
18. How long is ASE certification for CASE valid?
ASE certification for CASE is valid for three years. Once certified,
the training provider is required to submit an annual report to
NATEF which identifies any changes within the organization that
have occurred during the year.
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