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Auto Pros Academy Programs:

A Seamless Pathway to Automotive Excellence 

Building the Foundation for Future Automotive Careers

Future Auto Techs was created to introduce middle school students to automotive technology through engaging, hands-on STEM projects that foster creativity, teamwork, engineering thinking, leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

During our inaugural year, students explored automotive concepts by designing, building, and testing a variety of hands-on projects while discovering how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics connect to real careers in the automotive industry.

Continuing the Journey in 2026–2027

As Auto Pros Academy continues to grow, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily pause the Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Program for the 2026–2027 school year due to current funding limitations.

Our commitment to middle school students, however, has not changed.

Rather than interrupt their learning journey, currently enrolled middle school students have been invited to continue their automotive education through our Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program, where they will train alongside high school students in a professional automotive repair facility under the supervision of ASE Master Technician Rudy Gutierrez.

This transition provides students with a unique opportunity to move beyond project-based STEM activities and experience authentic automotive education by working on an instructional vehicle in a real shop environment while continuing to build the teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills that are central to the Future Auto Techs curriculum.

The Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Program remains an important part of Auto Pros Academy's long-term vision. We are actively pursuing grants, sponsorships, and community partnerships to restore the program and continue expanding automotive STEM opportunities for middle school students throughout the Antelope Valley.

2026–2027 Middle School Opportunity

For the 2026–2027 school year, currently enrolled middle school students have been invited to participate in our Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program.

This unique opportunity allows students to:

  • Gain hands-on experience in a professional automotive repair facility.

  • Work on an instructional vehicle while learning proper tool usage and shop safety.

  • Develop technical, leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

  • Experience authentic automotive education while preparing for future advanced training and careers.

Safety Requirements

To provide a safe learning environment for our younger students, the following requirements apply:

  • A parent or guardian must remain on-site throughout each class.

  • Students must wear non-slip shop shoes at all times while in the garage.

  • Class sizes are intentionally limited to maximize safety and individualized instruction.

  • Students train exclusively on an instructional vehicle—not customer vehicles.

We believe this approach allows our students to continue their automotive journey without interruption while providing an even deeper, hands-on learning experience that prepares them for future success.


 Future Auto Techs Middle School STEM Application paused this school year 2026-2027

Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program (Intro to Automotive)

Where Future Automotive Careers Begin

The Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program (Intro to Automotive) is the foundation of Auto Pros Academy's workforce development pathway.

For the 2026–2027 school year, this hands-on, tuition-free program welcomes currently registered middle school students, freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are ready to begin their automotive journey. Students of all experience levels will learn together while developing the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for future success in the automotive industry.

Tuition-Free Program

There is no cost for students to participate.

Auto Pros Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to providing high-quality, hands-on automotive education that is accessible to families throughout the Antelope Valley.

What Students Will Learn

Students will receive an introduction to:

  • Shop safety and proper use of professional tools and equipment

  • Basic automotive systems

  • Preventive maintenance and introductory diagnostics

  • Vehicle inspections and repair fundamentals

  • Professional shop procedures and best practices

  • Teamwork, leadership, and communication

  • Critical thinking and problem-solving

  • Workplace responsibility and professionalism

  • Customer service and career readiness

Throughout the school year, students will work together on an instructional vehicle, applying the skills they learn in a real automotive repair environment.

Who Should Participate?

This program is designed for students who enjoy:

  • Hands-on learning

  • Engineering and technology

  • Problem-solving

  • Working as part of a team

  • Learning real-world career skills

No prior automotive experience is required. Students only need a willingness to learn, participate, and grow.

What Makes This Program Different?

Unlike a traditional automotive classroom, students learn inside Auto Pros Automotive, a professional automotive repair facility.

Working under the supervision of ASE Master Technician Rudy Gutierrez, students gain authentic experience using professional-grade tools and equipment while learning in the same environment where automotive technicians build their careers.

By working on an instructional vehicle, students develop technical skills while also learning responsibility, teamwork, communication, professionalism, and confidence.

A Learning Environment Built for Success

Every student enters the program with a different level of experience.

Our instructional approach is designed to meet students where they are while providing individualized guidance, mentorship, and hands-on practice in a safe, supportive, team-oriented environment.

This unified learning model allows middle school, freshman, sophomore, and junior students to build a strong automotive foundation together while preparing for future advanced training opportunities.

2026–2027 Orientation & Class Schedule

We look forward to welcoming students and families for another exciting year of hands-on automotive education.

Orientation provides an opportunity to:

  • Meet the instructional team

  • Tour the automotive shop

  • Review shop safety procedures

  • Receive course expectations

  • Prepare for a successful year

Tuesday Cohort

Orientation
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

First Day of Class
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Thursday Cohort

Orientation
Thursday, August 6, 2026
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

First Day of Class
Thursday, August 13, 2026
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Class Location

Auto Pros Automotive
44136 10th Street West, Suite 205
Lancaster, CA 93534

Please Note: All orientations and classes are held at Auto Pros Automotive, our professional automotive repair facility. Classes are not held on a school campus. Students learn in a real shop environment using professional automotive tools and equipment under direct instructor supervision.

Safety Is Our Highest Priority

To provide a safe and productive learning environment:

  • All students receive shop safety instruction before participating in hands-on activities.

  • Middle school students must have a parent or guardian remain on-site throughout each class.

  • All students are required to wear non-slip shop shoes while in the garage.

  • Class sizes are intentionally limited to provide individualized instruction and maximize student safety.

More Than an Automotive Class

The Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program is about more than learning how vehicles work.

Students build confidence, responsibility, leadership, communication, teamwork, perseverance, and a strong work ethic while experiencing what it means to be part of a professional automotive team.

This is where curiosity becomes confidence, skills become experience, and students begin building the foundation for successful careers in the automotive industry.

Ready to Begin Your Automotive Journey?

Whether you're exploring automotive technology for the first time or considering a future career in the industry, the Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program (Intro to Automotive) provides the knowledge, hands-on experience, and confidence to take the next step.

We look forward to welcoming you to Auto Pros Academy and helping you build the skills for tomorrow's workforce.

Have questions? Please visit our Contact page.


 Apply now to reserve your seat for the 2026-2027 school year

Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program

Advanced Automotive Training for Future Professionals

Program Status

Planned Launch: 2028–2029 School Year

The Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program represents the next stage in Auto Pros Academy's workforce development pathway. Designed for students who have successfully completed the Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program, this advanced-level course prepares students for higher-level technical training, ASE certification preparation, and successful entry into the automotive workforce.

As our students progress through the pathway, this program will provide the advanced knowledge, technical experience, and professional skills necessary to transition into paid apprenticeships and long-term careers in the automotive industry.

ASE-Aligned, College-Level Curriculum

The Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program is built upon Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) educational standards and incorporates college-level automotive curriculum designed to prepare students for ASE certification pathways.

Students will strengthen the technical knowledge and practical experience needed to prepare for the ASE G1 (Maintenance & Light Repair) certification while building a strong foundation for pursuing additional ASE certifications throughout their careers.

What Students Will Learn

Students will receive advanced instruction in:

  • Advanced engine performance and diagnostics

  • Automotive electrical and electronic systems

  • Steering, suspension, and brake systems

  • Heating and air conditioning systems

  • Drivetrain and transmission fundamentals

  • Computer-based vehicle diagnostics

  • Professional repair procedures and documentation

  • Customer communication and service writing

  • Leadership, mentoring, and teamwork

  • Career readiness and workplace professionalism

Real-World Automotive Training

Students continue their education inside Auto Pros Automotive, a professional automotive repair facility, working with industry-standard tools and equipment under the supervision of ASE Master Technician Rudy Gutierrez.

By applying classroom knowledge in a real shop environment, students develop the confidence, technical ability, and professionalism expected of today's automotive technicians.

Program Eligibility

Enrollment in the Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program is earned through demonstrated achievement.

Students must:

  • Successfully complete at least one full year in the Automotive Engineering & Technology Prep Program.

  • Demonstrate proficiency in foundational automotive knowledge and repair procedures.

  • Consistently practice proper shop safety and tool usage.

  • Demonstrate professionalism, responsibility, teamwork, and a positive work ethic.

  • Receive instructor approval based on skill development, attendance, and overall readiness.

Advancement is based on mastery—not simply participation or time spent in the program.

Preparing Tomorrow's Automotive Professionals

The Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program serves as the final educational stage before students enter Auto Pros Academy's workforce development opportunities.

Students who successfully complete this program will be prepared to:

  • Perform advanced automotive diagnostics and repairs.

  • Continue preparing for ASE certifications.

  • Enter Auto Pros Academy's two-year paid apprenticeship program after graduation.

  • Gain documented industry experience while working alongside professional technicians.

  • Transition into long-term employment opportunities within the automotive industry through our Job Placement Program.

Looking Ahead

The Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program is scheduled to launch during the 2028–2029 school year as students successfully complete the Prep Program and advance through Auto Pros Academy's educational pathway.

Our vision is to provide students with a complete workforce development model—from introductory automotive education to advanced technical training, paid apprenticeships, ASE certification preparation, and meaningful long-term careers in the automotive industry.

At Auto Pros Academy, we believe students deserve more than an automotive class—they deserve a clear pathway to a rewarding profession.

The Opportunity After Graduation

Students who successfully complete the Advanced Automotive Program may be selected to enter our exclusive Auto Pros Paid Apprenticeship Program, a two-year paid apprenticeship opportunity designed to continue developing students inside a real automotive repair business.

This creates a direct pathway from:

Advanced Automotive Training
⬇
ASE Certification Preparation
⬇
Two-Year Paid Apprenticeship Program
⬇
Long-Term Career Opportunities in the Automotive Industry

Very few students are given the opportunity to begin building a professional career pathway this early.

Why This Program Matters

The automotive industry currently faces a nationwide shortage of over 750,000 automotive technicians.

Auto Pros Academy created this pathway to begin preparing the next generation of highly skilled automotive professionals while helping solve this growing workforce shortage.

This is much more than an after-school program.

This is advanced technical training.
This is ASE certification preparation.
This is workforce development.
This is a direct pathway into the automotive repair industry.


 Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Application school year 2027-2028
About Us

Auto Pros Paid Apprenticeship Program

As the pinnacle of our automotive education pathway, the Auto Pros Academy Apprenticeship Program offers graduates of our Automotive Engineering & Technology Advanced Program an unparalleled, part-time paid opportunity to jumpstart their careers. Launching for our first graduates in 2028, this transformative, two-year program pairs students one-on-one with seasoned automotive technicians from our leading industry partner.

Our students don’t just sit in a classroom—they’re in the shop, hands-on, from day one. Instead of being handed a broom, they dive straight into real automotive work, learning side-by-side with experienced technicians. This immediate, immersive experience ensures they develop the technical expertise and real-world skills needed to excel in today’s complex automotive industry.

Our part-time approach is thoughtfully designed to balance hands-on work with dedicated study time, allowing apprentices to thoroughly prepare for nationally recognized Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications—an essential requirement to take these exams. Apprentices receive comprehensive study materials, practice tests, and personalized mentorship to ensure their success.

Beyond technical skills, apprentices develop crucial professional attributes such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork through regular one-on-one coaching, shop floor shadowing, and participation in real projects. This holistic training prepares them for the demands of a fast-paced, ever-evolving field.

Our program encourages apprentices to achieve ASE certifications during or shortly after their apprenticeship, with a focus on key areas including:

  • G1: Maintenance & Light Repair

  • A4: Suspension & Steering

  • A5: Brakes

By building strong, lasting relationships between apprentices and industry professionals, Auto Pros Academy cultivates the next generation of skilled, innovative, and ethical automotive technicians. This paid, part-time, two-year program not only launches graduates into the workforce but also provides a solid foundation for further educational advancement and lifelong career success.


 Our Partner - Auto Pros Lancaster Auto Repair

Auto Pros Apprenticeship Job Placement Program

As the last step in our journey to a seamless pathway to success, the Auto Pros Apprenticeship Job Placement Program launches rewarding careers in the automotive industry. Beginning in 2030, graduates of our rigorous two-year program will become ASE-certified technicians with valuable hands-on experience gained alongside a Master Certified professional.

Through our exclusive partnership with the Automotive Training Institute (ATI), we connect graduates to high-paying local and national opportunities—whether at leading dealerships, innovative repair shops, or specialty automotive businesses. While nationwide opportunities are available, we also prioritize local job placement to help you contribute to and grow within the Lancaster community and surrounding areas. This dual approach ensures you find meaningful employment that aligns with your career goals and lifestyle. 

Trained to dream big, many graduates are poised to advance further and become Master Certified technicians themselves, unlocking even greater career opportunities and earning potential. Some may even aspire to own their own shops. By aligning with ATI as new shop owners, graduates gain access to specialized training and coaching tailored to automotive business ownership, setting them on a direct path to long-term success.

Most importantly, we have changed countless lives—our graduates complete their training without the burden of debt.

We don’t just train technicians; we launch careers with real earning potential and mobility, completing your journey from student to skilled automotive professional.


 Auto Pros Apprenticeship Job Placement Program Effective 2030
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