100 Year Celebration!
In 1917, Automotive Training Center (ATC) first opened its doors, then just a small division of Spring Garden College in Philadelphia.
One hundred years later, our private, family-owned, post-secondary training center has two campuses operating in Exton and Warminster, PA, five accredited programs of study, and many hardworking students-turned-success-stories who are out in the automotive and marine industries loving their work and leading by example.
How far we’ve come contributes to how far you’ll go! To help us celebrate turning the big 1-0-0 and help you get a glimpse of where we’ve been, check out these milestones in ATC history.
1946: ATC Branches Out from Spring Garden
In 1946, ATC moved out of Spring Garden College and into its own facility on North 17th Street in Philadelphia. Demand for the automotive technicians was booming then and now!
1971: New Roots Go Down in Exton PA
In 1971, ATC established today’s home base, a 25,000 square-foot facility on a beautiful 5-acre campus in Exton, PA, that features 10 dedicated shop rooms and classrooms.
Take our online video tour to see what it’s like to attend this facility today.
2003: ATC Makes a Major Industry Alliance
In 2003, ATC became the official training school of the Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP), the major auto organization in the Philly region that heads 250 local franchised dealers throughout five counties.
Our ADAGP alliance helps connect ATC graduates with ADAGP dealers seeking entry-level technicians.
2005-2006: Warminster Campus Established to Teach Marine Service Technology
In 2005, walls went up around ATC’s newest training location, a 71,150-square-foot facility on 10.5 acres in Warminster, PA. Shortly thereafter, ATC’s Warminster campus got the green light to launch their Marine Service Technology program.
Interested in learning more? Check out our website’s nifty history timeline of ATC.
1999-2014: ATC Wins Repeat National Recognition as a School of Excellence
Over the years, ATC has won the Award for Excellence in Automotive Training from the Automotive Industry Planning Council (AIPC) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) on four occasions at either the state or national level.
AIPC and ASE are two major organizations that mark the gold standard for the automotive industry!
2017: ATC Looks Back & Celebrates 100 Years
Here we are! 100 years is a huge deal, and we’re incredibly proud of our journey. These many awards, accreditations, recognitions, and campus expansions are products of our commitment to our students and their success—the same values we upheld in 1917.
We want to thank all our past, present, and prospective students; we couldn’t have done this without you!
Take the Wheel of Your Automotive Education Today
If you’re currently on the lookout for an automotive or marine technology training center and interested in attending ATC yourself, learn more about the programs we offer by downloading our free Automotive Technology Career Guide.
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