Automotive Training Center’s Exton Campus circa 1970’s
For more than a century, Automotive Training Center, also known as ATC, has turned hard working students into industry leaders. From our beginnings in Philadelphia to our current standing as one of the area’s well respected technical schools, ATC has always been dedicated to providing our students the best learning experience possible.
1917
Automotive Training Center is established as a division of Spring Garden College in Philadelphia, PA.
1946
Spring Garden College purchases separate facilities for Automotive Training Center (ATC) on North 17th Street in Philadelphia to accommodate the post World War II growth of the automotive and diesel program.
1971
ATC relocates and constructs a new 25,000 square-foot facility with 10 specialized automotive shops and classrooms on a five acre campus in Exton, PA, a suburban community 30 miles west of Philadelphia.
1991
Stephen Hiscox, ATC graduate and former instructor is appointed President/CEO.
1994 – 1995
ATC’s Exton Automotive and Collision Reconditioning Technology program earns Master Certification through ASE and NATEF (the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence and National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation).
1998
BMW begins recruiting at ATC for its specialized STEP graduate training program. Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Audi and Volkswagen follow shortly afterward by accepting ATC’s top graduates into their own manufacturer-specific training programs.
1999
ATC is named the National Winner of the Award for Excellence in Automotive Training by the Automotive Industry Planning Council (AIPC) and ASE.
2001 – 2010
Ford Motor Company partners with ATC to provide Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) training for ATC students.
2002
ATC is selected as one of three national qualifying sites for the “Engine Masters Challenge” sponsored by Popular Hot Rodding Magazine.
2002 – 2007
ATC partners with Honda Marine to provide technical training on Honda Outboard marine engines to authorized dealership technicians in the northeast region.
2003
Through a strong alliance with the ADAGP, ATC assists its students and graduates with employment opportunities with the 190 new car and truck franchise throughout the give county area.
2005
ATC is the Pennsylvania State Winner and National Runner-Up for the AIPC/ASE Award for Excellence in Automotive Training. ATC constructs a new training facility in Warminster, Bucks County, PA. The facility consists of 71,150 square feet situated on 10.5 acres of land.
2006
ATC is Pennsylvania State Winner and the National Winner of the AIPC/ASE Award for Excellence. ATC Warminster adds Marine Service Technology to its program offerings. Mercury Marine partners with ATC offering Mercury University dealer service training at the Warminster campus.
2008
ATC’s Exton and Warminster campuses receive the 2007-2008 School of Merit and School of Distinction awards respectively from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT).
ATC Warminster hosts the Greater Philadelphia Automotive Technician Competition sponsored by the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP) and the Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation.
2009
ATC’s Warminster Campus becomes the new training location for Chrysler Academy Technical Training Services. American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) designates ATC, Warminster as a training and test site for their marine certification classes. ATC is named Chicago Pneumatic & Tomorrow’s Technician School of the Year Award- Top 20 Finalist.
2012
ATC’s Warminster campus is selected to host the Ford AAA Student Auto Skills, Pennsylvania State Competition.
2013 – 2014
ATC Exton is recognized as a School of Excellence for 2013 – 2014.
ATC is sanctioned by I-CAR to incorporate the Professional Development Program Education Edition Curriculum into the school’s collision curriculum.
2016
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) partners with ATC integrating the Mopar CAP LOCAL program and curriculum in the school’s automotive programs.
Yamaha Motor Corporation partners with ATC offering instructional resources in Yamaha Outboard Engines to the school’s marine service technology program.
2017
ATC Warminster placed as one of the top four (4) finalists in the “Tomorrow’s Technician School of the Year” National Competition.
ATC’s Warminster campus has been recognized by The Accrediting Commission of Career School and Colleges (ACCSC) as a 2017 ACCSC School of Excellence.
ATC celebrates its 100th anniversary 1917-2017.
2018
Richard A Hiscox is appointed President and CEO due to the passing of Stephen C Hiscox, President and CEO 1992-2018.
2019
Through an agreement with Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), eligible students can benefit from MBUSA specific training within select ATC programs at the Exton campus. The goal of the program is to develop qualified entry-level technicians for MBUSA franchise dealers.
Through a training partnership with Volvo Car University, eligible students can benefit from Volvo specific training within select ATC programs. The goal of the program is to develop qualified entry-level service technicians for Volvo franchise new car dealerships.
2020
Through a training partnership with Volkswagen Group of America, eligible students can benefit from Volkswagen specific training within select ATC programs. The goal of the program is to develop qualified entry level service technicians at the Warminster campus for Volkswagen franchised new car dealerships.
