AVTECC Company Profile

Background

The International Advanced Vehicle Technology Education and Credentialing Coalition (AVTECC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to elevating workforce competency in the automotive and transportation industries. Established in July 2024, AVTECC's mission is to reimagine automotive education and credentialing by developing industry standards, program accreditation, and skills-based certification programs. The organization focuses on ensuring that technicians possess the necessary skills to service, diagnose, and repair advanced vehicle technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Key Strategic Focus

AVTECC's strategic objectives include:

Technical Standards Development: Creating job task analyses and performance-based skills certification exams that reflect the latest technological advancements, such as EVs and ADAS.

Certification Programs: Implementing industry-recognized professional certification programs that assess technician skills through performance-based testing.

Program Accreditation: Establishing standards for educational accreditation to ensure high-quality training programs.

Industry Collaboration: Fostering collaboration among training organizations, employers, and industry stakeholders to promote continuous improvement and skills development aligned with emerging technologies.

Financials and Funding

As a non-profit organization, AVTECC relies on support from industry partners and individual contributors. The organization offers several founding partner categories, including Supporter, Champion, and Founding Partner levels, each with associated benefits. Additionally, AVTECC seeks corporate sponsors and business partnerships to support its initiatives.

Pipeline Development

AVTECC has introduced several key certification programs:

EV Safe® Certification: A hands-on safety certification designed to ensure that technicians have the skills to work safely on electric vehicles. This certification requires technicians to demonstrate their skills on a live vehicle in real-world working conditions.

ADAS Calibration Technician Certification: A program focused on certifying technicians in the calibration of advanced driver assistance systems.

Vehicle Maintenance Certification: A certification aimed at validating technicians' proficiency in general vehicle maintenance tasks.

These certifications are delivered through accredited industry education and training organizations, with assessor training and certification events held in various locations, including Chicago, Orlando, Kansas City, and Detroit.

Technological Platform and Innovation

AVTECC distinguishes itself through its commitment to performance-based certification and accreditation programs that reflect the latest technological advancements in the automotive industry. The organization's approach includes:

Performance-Based Testing: Assessing technicians' abilities through hands-on evaluations rather than traditional multiple-choice assessments, ensuring practical competency.

Industry-Driven Standards: Developing technical standards in collaboration with a board of industry stakeholders, including OEMs, aftermarket professionals, and educators, to create job task analyses and certification exams that align with current industry needs.

Leadership Team

AVTECC's leadership comprises experienced professionals from various sectors of the automotive industry:

David Macholz – President and CEO: Leads AVTECC's mission to establish new standards in automotive workforce development.

Joseph Myers – Vice President and Secretary: Supports the organization's strategic initiatives and operations.

Justin Kidd – Treasurer: Manages AVTECC's financial operations and partnerships.

The Board of Directors includes industry leaders such as Carolyn Coquilette (Co-Founder and CEO of Earthling Automotive), Nana Danso (Senior Manager of Workforce Development at Rivian), and Jon Davisson (Senior Manager, Technical Training at Mazda North American Operations), among others.

Leadership Changes

In February 2025, AVTECC announced its Board of Directors for 2025, marking a significant milestone in the organization's development. The board comprises industry leaders from the OEM, aftermarket, and education sectors, providing guidance as AVTECC seeks to redefine automotive education and credentialing.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The automotive industry is experiencing rapid technological advancements, particularly in vehicle electrification and autonomous driving systems. This evolution necessitates a highly skilled workforce capable of servicing and repairing complex vehicle systems. The demand for specialized training and certification programs is increasing to ensure technician competency and safety.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the automotive education and certification sector include:

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE): Offers a range of certification programs for automotive professionals but primarily utilizes traditional multiple-choice assessments.

Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC): Focuses on improving the quality of training in the automotive service industry through networking and resource sharing.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Training Programs: Various vehicle manufacturers provide proprietary training and certification programs tailored to their specific vehicle technologies.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

AVTECC has established significant partnerships to enhance its certification programs:

Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN): Collaborated to develop and implement competency-based educational programs in automotive education, combining C-BEN's expertise in competency-based education with AVTECC's automotive education and credentialing experience.

TOPDON US: Welcomed as a corporate sponsor, with TOPDON's Training and Development Manager, Haakan Light, serving on AVTECC's Governing Board.

Operational Insights

AVTECC's strategic considerations include:

Performance-Based Certification: Differentiating itself by offering hands-on, performance-based certification programs that assess real-world skills, addressing the limitations of traditional multiple-choice assessments.

Industry Collaboration: Engaging with a diverse range of industry stakeholders, including OEMs, aftermarket professionals, and educators, to develop standards and certifications that meet current industry needs.

Focus on Emerging Technologies: Prioritizing certifications in areas such as electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems to address the evolving demands of the automotive industry.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

AVTECC's strategic roadmap includes:

Expansion of Certification Programs: Developing additional performance-based certifications to cover a broader range of advanced vehicle technologies.

Scaling Competency-Based Education: Implementing pilot programs in collaboration with educational institutions and workforce training centers, with the goal of establishing a nationwide standard for competency-based education in the automotive sector.

Enhancing Instructor Training: Launching initiatives like the Automotive Instructors Institute to equip educators with the skills and certifications necessary to train the next generation of automotive technicians.