KENOSHA, Wis. (April 22, 2013) — Snap-on Inc. is working with more than 70 technical schools across the country to develop content augmenting their course curriculum.
The result, according to Snap-on, is that they now offer specialized Snap-on certifications in disciplines including torque, diagnostics and vehicle information systems. These new certification programs enable students to broaden their technical skills to enhance their employability.
The goal of the Snap-on Education Program "is to leverage more than 90 years of industry knowledge and tool expertise, developing product certification courses that serve as a significant enhancement to the curricula currently taught in today's technical classrooms," Snap-on said. The courses place emphasis on tool use, theory and application—three areas that make students more well-rounded, skilled and proficient on the job, the company noted.
The certifications are not an add-on, but rather are integrated into existing courses offered by partnering schools.
"Education has been, and will continue to be, a primary focus for Snap-on in 2013 and beyond," said Andy Ginger, president, Snap-on Industrial. "Snap-on has developed several certification courses that both give students a competitive edge in the skills and knowledge they learn, and also best position them for success as they enter the workforce. We look forward to enhancing our partnership with technical schools to facilitate these courses."
The difference is the specific knowledge and training required for certification. For example, the company said technicians completing the torque certification course take their skill and motivation to the next level in fully understanding the intricacies of torque. Being certified in torque provides techs and their employers with the "added training and awareness that will pay dividends down the road in higher equipment uptime and reduced maintenance costs."
The goal for specialized curricula and certifications is to provide conformity and an across-the-board standard for technical schools to teach instruction on the three areas of tool use, theory and application, Snap-on said. The certification training is a collaborative effort between the Kenosha-based tool maker and the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3), which is a network of education partners and corporations that supports advances in workforce skills in the transportation, aviation, manufacturing and energy sectors.
Snap-on certifications are currently offered in the following areas:
• Automotive scanner diagnostics;
• Mechanical and electrical torque;
• Diesel scanner diagnostics;
• Wheel service;
• Multimeter;
• Asset management (foreign object damage and tool control);
• Horticulture (to be released soon); and
• Building performance (to be released soon).
Technical school instructors benefit from partnering with Snap-on through the opportunity to learn the latest advancements in tool technology and stay abreast of maintenance issues affecting their areas of expertise by attending training seminars at Snap-on's Kenosha facilities. The schools also benefit by "being able to offer program courses that best train students to become tomorrow's professional technicians," the company said.
More information about the Snap-on Education Program is available by contacting Frederick Brookhouse, Snap-on's senior business and education partnership manager, at 262.656.6043, or via email at [email protected].
Snap-on Industrial, a division of Snap-on Inc., is a manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources.