Final CCCTC school year spotlight shines on Automotive Technology program | News, Sports, Jobs

Five years ago, the pandemic forced a change in how we did things, and we were fortunate to have local newspapers willing to assist us in getting the word out to county students and families about our programs through a series of monthly articles.

While things have returned to normal, this new normal allowed the CCCTC to usher in some significant changes during the last five years. The building has had major renovations to align the lab settings with the industries in the community that are being served and to provide the students with the 21st skills they need by learning with cutting-edge technology and equipment.

Along with renovations, a new program has been added and several new lab instructors have joined the staff. Friendly and familiar faces people have known for years have been replaced with new friendly faces due to staff members meeting the service year and age requirements for retirement. So, during the remainder of the school year, the changes that have occurred at the CCCTC will be highlighted to keep the community informed about the state of career and technical education in their county.

Current sophomore students who are interested in enrolling in a program for the 2025-26 school year are invited to do so by visiting the CCCTC’s webpage ( and completing the enrollment application which is available now.  Any questions about the programs or the requirements for enrollment should be directed to Sue Allison, guidance administrator, at (330) 424-9561 ext. 118 or [email protected]. 

Beaver Local juniors Landon Ritteger and Caleb Thompson balance a tire.

Our final spotlight of the year for May is instructor Brian Neff and the Automotive Technology (AT) program. While there are constant changes in the curriculum for the field of automotive technology to keep up with the rapidly shifting way that vehicles are produced, what has remained constant is the CCCTC’s output of highly skilled graduates ready to go to work in the field.

One of the changes that is not curriculum-based is the fairly recent hiring of a new instructor. Mr. Brian Neff came to the CCCTC after many successful years of working in industry. While never a certified teacher in the classroom until making the move to the CCCTC, teaching others was something that came naturally since this field requires constant on the job instruction for employees from their superiors.

Benefits of Being a Student in the Program

Students in the Automotive Technology program at the CCCTC will graduate from the program having what they need to move directly into positions as automotive technicians. Students in the program gain copious amounts of hands-on experience. They learn using the same tools they will be using in their careers.

They also learn diagnostic techniques that they can then apply to the real-world shop setting. The knowledge that is obtained while a student in this program will be used on day one of their adult working experience. Students also have the opportunity to gain certifications which are a guarantee in writing to future employers that they are ready for entry level jobs the moment they graduate from high school.

William Boyer
Automotive Technology Exemplary Student

Being a student in the automotive technology program also grants students the opportunity to take advantage of paid internships with local businesses that can transition to full-time employment upon graduation. In addition to the hard skills they learn in the lab setting, students also learn the vital soft skills needed to be a successful employee including teamwork and communication.

For those few students who enter the program and upon completion may decide that they want to move in a different direction for their career, they take away lifelong skills that will allow them to maintain their personal vehicles without the cost of paying others to do it for them.

Credentials and Articulation Agreements for the Program

Career-Technical Education not only prepares students for the workforce, but also allows them to start on their post-secondary path. Students who put effort into learning will leave the CCCTC with the credentials they need to successfully enter straight into the workforce.

All students enrolled in the CCCTC’s Automotive Technology Program become certified in OSHA-10. Students also have the opportunity to earn the following Industry-recognized ASE credentials: Automobile Service Technology, Automotive Automatic Transmission/Transaxle, Automotive Brakes, Automotive Electronic/Electrical Systems, Automotive Engine Performance, Automotive Engine Repair, Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Automotive Manual Drive Train and Axles, and Automotive Suspension and Steering. Students can also earn SP2 certifications. The Ford ACE High School Automotive Program and the Ohio CAT High School Program are two more options for students in the program.

Automotive Technology Instructor Brian Neff

For students who want to take their education a step further, they can pursue higher education and take advantage of our articulation agreements. The Automotive Technology program currently has one active articulation agreement with Cuyahoga Community College as well as a second articulation agreement that is in the process of being implemented with UNOH [University of Northwestern Ohio]. At Cuyahoga Community College, students who successfully complete the two-year program and any required testing at the CCCTC can earn 4 college credits. The two courses they would receive credit for are Introduction to Automobile Service and Repair and Introduction to Medium and Heavy Transportation Equipment Technology. Each course would be worth two credit hours.

Once the articulation agreement is fully in place with UNOH, students would receive 12 credit hours, six for each course, upon successfully completing the CCCTC Automotive Technology program and passing any required tests. The two courses they would receive credit for are Suspension and Steering as well as Hydraulic Brake System.

Student Spotlight

An exemplary student for the AT program is William Boyer. William is a senior from Crestview Local High School. William was chosen by his instructor because he is a student who knows what he wants in his future and was eager to take every opportunity that was available to him at the CCCTC to make it happen.

While a student in the two-year program, William has earned all 10 ASE certifications. He also participated in the Ford ACE program and is currently working at Columbiana Ford through the CCCTC’s work-based learning program.

Beyond just the career specific skills that William has obtained, he is a leader in other areas as well. William leads by example to his peers in the lab setting. While he is already quite knowledgeable in the field, he is always willing and ready to learn new techniques. He also excels at the soft skills of communication, teamwork, adaptability, time-management, problem-solving, and leadership, all which can be seen through his work with instructors, peers, supervisors, and customers.

William also understands the importance of his academic courses as well and is a model student in his academic classes. He understands that giving full effort does not just apply to his lab but to all facets of life.

Instructor Spotlight

Instructor Brian Neff began a career in the automotive technology field just like the students he now teaches.

A student at Blackhawk High School, Mr. Neff was a product of high school career and technical education obtaining the same automotive technology skills from his teacher at Beaver County Career and Technical Center as his students are learning from him.

Upon graduation from high school, he attended the Mopar CAP Program at the Community College of Allegheny County where he earned an associates degree in automotive technology. Once he obtained his degree, he then spent the next 22 years in the industry. He held various positions including team leader, shop foreman, and eventually service director.

When the position for the automotive technology instructor became vacant, it was not a difficult decision to make a career switch. Although automotive technology was the passion that he chased, Mr. Neff had once considered pursuing a career as a history teacher.

The idea of becoming an automotive technology instructor appealed to him because he saw first hand the need for skilled technicians in the field and wanted to be able to share his experiences as well as his wealth of knowledge and experience to help prepare students for a successful career in the automotive industry. Brian is married to Amber. They have five children that attend Crestview Local Schools ranging in age from five to 18.

CCCTC’s Automotive Technology

Program Benefits Local Industry

There seems to be a shortage of skilled workers in the automotive repair industry. Everywhere you go, local businesses always seem to be seeking employees.

Having the automotive technology program at the CCCTC has a positive impact on those businesses looking to fill those positions. Columbiana County based businesses benefit because they know that students who attend and successfully complete the two-year program are well-prepared for entry level positions in shops and parts departments upon graduation.

This saves local businesses time and money by hiring these graduates because they don’t have to worry about whether they have the qualifications, certifications, and training needed to fulfill their needs, and they know that these graduates prepared for a career in the field and are committed to the industry.

Any student who is interested in enrolling in the Automotive Technology Program as well as any other programs offered by the CCCTC should complete the online application at ccctc.k12.oh.us. Do not delay in enrollment in many programs are reaching capacity. Any questions about the programs can be directed to Sue Allison at extension 118 ([email protected]) or Michelle Fitzsimmons at extension 158 ([email protected]) at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center.