BAR Educational Advisory Group Meeting Minutes
December 6, 2019

Meeting Location

Bureau of Automotive Repair
Main Hearing Room, 1st Floor
10949 North Mather Blvd.
Rancho Cordova, CA, 95670

Advisory Group Members Present

Ruben Parra, Skyline College
Phil Fournier, Contract Instructor
Mike Morse, Yuba College
Kevin Rogers, Cosumnes River College
Gary Houseman, Owner, Made-in-Japan
Bud Rice, Owner, Quality Tune-Up

Motions

  1. Moved by Kevin Rogers that the minutes from December 8, 2018 be adopted with no changes.

    1. Vote: Unanimous - Motion carried.

Discussion Items

  1. Ed VanMil, BAR Senior Air Quality Engineer, called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

    1. Introductions and roll call.

  2. Reviewed and adopted minutes from the meeting of December 8, 2018.

  3. Cory Jang, BAR Engineer, gave a presentation on the most recent changes to CalARC website and Smog Check program.

    1. This included incorrect student information being entered into CalARC.

  4. BAR Licensing exams pass rate was discussed:

    1. Current pass rate on both inspector and repair technician exams are around 42%.

    2. Current pass rate on new brake and lamp exams were lower than that of the old exams. Ed said this was due to the old exam being used for so long, as well due to the new exams incorporating questions relating to newer braking and lighting technologies and systems used in today’s vehicles.

    3. Bud Rice also suggested that the actual number of candidates that take the exam and pass the exam be included for future meetings when this subject is presented.

  5. Denise Cunningham, BAR Program Manager II, gave a presentation on the Cars for Schools program.

    1. Bud Rice asked if the vehicles had to be returned in the same condition that they were received (i.e. running). Denise responded that other than the tires and wheels, radio, as well as battery which the vehicle dismantler can take off the vehicle and sell, the rest of the vehicle value is for the scrape metal so the vehicle does not have to be running when returned. For example, a vehicle can be sectioned, just as long as the sectioned parts are returned for the weight of the scrap metal.

    2. Gary Houseman suggested that rather have to send the request through BAR for a specific vehicle, that there be a online vehicle search site where the school can search for the specific vehicles like Craigslist between the dismantlers and the schools. Denise responded that going through BAR is necessary for now since the program is just starting.

  6. Ed indicated a new Repair Technician Occupational Analysis has started. The analysis is necessary to develop new Repair Technician licensing examinations.

  7. Ed mentioned that BAR is actively seeking subject matter experts (SMEs) to participate in the development of licensing examinations and to serve as update training course evaluators and on the panel that approves Bar Certified Instructors.

  8. Public comments:

    • Charlie Peters suggested adding to the Smog Check Program a requirement that inspectors must enter the vehicle’s engine family from ECS Label when performing a Smog Check inspection. He also suggested the addition of alerting a smog inspector if a vehicle that is being inspected has failed a previous smog inspection and what cause of the failure.

    • Kevin stated there is a shortage of qualified CE instructors. He indicated he is working with the chancellor’s office to establish guidelines concerning AA/AS degrees for promising students that want to be a vocational instructor. In the Sacramento area, students can go to California State University, Sacramento to finish their vocational education and earn their BA degree.

    • Bud Rice said he sent a draft EAG mission statement after the last meeting to BAR. He will find the email and resend the information to EAG members and BAR for input and suggestions to finalize.

    • Phil Fournier asked where in regulation a lecture-only class must be taught at a BAR certified training facility.

    • Bud Rice suggested that the EAG meet sooner than approximately every six months. Every four months between meetings was suggested with no opposition by other EAG members.

  9. Meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m.