Automotive Parts and Service Operations (Optional Co-op)

How To Apply

Automotive Parts and Service Operations is the perfect program to help you fill the need for trained support staff within the backbone of the auto industry — whether you're launching your first career, a new career, or want to round out your automotive education and skill base with an emphasis on operational management support.

The School of Transportation has worked closely with industry partners to create a program that will position you as a top candidate in an underrepresented area of the industry. Round out your education with automotive service estimating, merchandising and inventory management, automotive service process, component technology and technical skills; marketing, and customer service and sales techniques. Before graduation, you have the option to experience the real world as a paid employee through a one-term summer co-op.

Automotive Parts and Service Operations has the full support of the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario (MVRO), which represents more than 1,000 new car dealers in Ontario. As such, the program is an excellent choice if you're just finishing high school or are a graduate of the Automotive Foundations or Techniques programs. Mature students and automotive technicians will also find this program an excellent pathway to a new career or a career change within the industry.

Note: Personal protective equipment is required. Visit the program page on our website for details.

Program Overview

Note: Personal protective equipment is required. Visit the program page on our website for details.

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Career Options and Education Pathways

Companies Offering Jobs

Graduates will be prepared to work at entry-level and junior-level positions within the wider transportation industry including automotive, truck & coach and heavy duty equipment dealerships and aftermarket parts and service repair industries.

Program Highlights

A breadth of knowledge

This program includes introductory business courses and automotive-specific courses that will expose you to many different aspects of the transportation industry from automotive to motorcycle, auto collision, truck and coach, and heavy-duty equipment operations.

We want you to succeed. To help you do so, we've included an optional summer co-op work term between 1st and 2nd years as part of the Automotive Parts and Service Operations program. A co-op is an excellent way to gain valuable exposure to a real work environment and provide you with the opportunity to showcase your knowledge, enthusiasm and work ethic to potential employers. For more information about co-op at Centennial, please visit Co-op Programs.

Will open many doors.

You will learn a variety of important skills including basics in marketing, communication, merchandising, micro and macro-economics, and industry trends that will set you apart in the job market. Don't worry if you have no experience; we will help you grow from the ground up!

What do I have when I'm done?

Credentials plus skill

In 2 years, you will have earned a unique, industry-recognized diploma that will qualify you to begin your new career or direction. You will have a broad knowledge base and credentials that will position you for immediate employment within the automotive parts and service administration sector.

Equals success.

You will have the knowledge, credentials, and confidence to step into a support role in the transportation industry and make an impression. Your career starts here!

Career Outlook

Service Consultant/Advisor
Customer Relations Representative
Warranty Administrator
Control Tower Operator
Service Coordinator
Service Scheduler
Customer Retention
Parts Advisor – service techs & retail
Parts Wholesale Representative
Inventory Control
Shipper-Receiver
Delivery dispatch
Aftersales department
Assistant Manager in training.

Education Pathways

Graduates of this Automotive Parts and Service Operations diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are programs from partnering institutions that are available for this program.

Please note that each partner pathway has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.

Partner Institution	Degree Program
Algoma University	Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors
	Bachelor of Science in multiple majors
	Honours Bachelor of Computer Science
Lakehead University	Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any major
Laurentian University	Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors
Nipissing University	Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors
Ontario Tech University	Honours Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies
Ottawa, University of	Honours Bachelor of Commerce
Seneca Polytechnic	Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
York University	Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any major
	Honours Bachelor of Environmental Studies (3- and 4-year)
	Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Science in multiple majors

Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.

For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent, or take the Centennial English Admission Test.
Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (C or U).

Additional Requirements

English Language Proficiency

Safety Requirements

CSA approved safety shoes
Safety glasses with clear lenses and side shields
Ear plugs
Appropriate clothing

Co-op Option

The co-op option in this program will provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while you complete a co-op work term as an employee in the field. This experience not only allows you to put classroom learning into practice, but will also provide valuable contacts for your future career.

To participate in this co-op option, you will need to complete an application process in the first semester. If academically qualified, you may be admitted to the co-op program. Academically qualified students who are accepted into the program will register for the co-op preparation course as scheduled

Co-op Requirements

Minimum of 80% of courses completed from semester one
Completion of COMM-160/161 by the end of semester 1
A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (this must be maintained for the duration of the program)
Students must be legally eligible to work in Canada
Students who meet the above prerequisites will submit their application for co-op to the Career Services and Cooperative Education Department in semester 1

Note: Meeting the minimum co-op program requirements does not guarantee admission into the co-op program.

How to Apply

1. Apply Online

Domestic Students

If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please apply at the Employment Training Centre (Progress Campus). The Better Jobs Ontario Program is a funding initiative for those who have been laid-off and are in need of training. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.

If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.

All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $125 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.

International Students

Apply directly to Centennial College here.

2. Submit Documents

Domestic Applicants

Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.

Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.

Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.

3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission

Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.

You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.

You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.

When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.

4. Pay Fees

Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.

You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.

5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)

Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.

Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April

Your web-registration will not open if:

You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.

Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.

Tuition and Fees

Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.

Student	Tuition (2 Semesters)	Ancillary Fees	Total
Canadian	$2,721.00	$1,097.34	$3,818.34
International	$17,722.00	$1,585.52	$19,307.52

Technology Requirements

This program is part of the BringIT initiative, which means students taking it will need to be able to consistently access and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the program’s recommended hardware requirements.

Students with Accessibility Needs: If you require accommodations for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your program. If you want to access disability services, you can make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 416-289-5000 ext. 3850, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.

Want to know more? Check out Frequently Asked Questions or our BringIT Program.

Students from this program will need to have consistent access to the following:

Minimum Recommended Specifications:

Windows Laptop with:
- Intel Core i5 or AMD equivalent processor;
- 8GB or more of RAM;
- 256GB HD, USB port;
- Windows 10 Operating System
Recommended:
- Built-in Ethernet Port; Audio/Mic combo;
- A Solid State Drive (SSD);
- A laptop with a battery life of 3hrs or better

An iPad 9.7 inch (6th generation recommended);
- 128GB storage
Recommended:
- Apple Pencil
Additional Note:
- A Chromebook is NOT an acceptable device

Minimum Internet Requirement:

You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High-speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 50mbps download speed is highly recommended.

ClassAPPs 2.0

Students are invited to use Centennial College’s ClassAPPs 2.0, an all-in-one system that lets you use all of the digital tools you need to complete your college courses from the comfort of your own home, at any time, instead of finding the time to head for a computer lab. Any student can use the ClassAPPs 2.0 system with any modern, HTML5 enabled web browser, like Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Just log in to the service with the same ID and password you use to get into a College PC, and you instantly gain access to cloud-based software, and other learning resources.

Advising Services

https://www.centennialcollege.ca/student-life/student-services/centennial-advising-and-pathways-services/

Automotive Parts and Service Operations (Optional Co-op)

How To Apply

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