10-YEAR AWARD

 

Q.     When will the 10-year Master / Senior Master award be awarded?

A.     When a technician has held Master / Senior Master status for 10 years or more, which means achieving Master status one year, and retaining for nine years.

 

Q.     Do the 10 years need to be consecutive?

A.     No.  There just needs to be 10 years total of holding Master / Senior Master status.

 

Q.     This is my 10th year of being a Master / Senior Master.  Will I receive the 10-year plaque this year?

A.     Yes, when you retain in the current Program.

 

Q.     I achieved Master status in 1998, but I have not retained since.  That's more than 10 years ago.  Do I get a 10-year plaque?

A.     No.  The 10-year Master plaque will be awarded to technicians who have held Master / Senior Master status for 10 years, which means achieving Master status one year, and retaining for nine years.

 

Q.     Will the 10-year plaque be awarded for each of the Masters categories?

A.     Yes.  Technicians will receive the 10-year plaque separately for Engine, Drivetrain, Chassis and Senior Master.

 

 

BEING RECOGNIZED FOR AN ACHIEVEMENT

 

Q.     I thought I achieved Masters a few months ago, but STARS2 does not indicate my achievement and I have not received any awards nor is my name listed on the PTS website!

A.     You may be overlooking a requirement, such as ASE certification, 3-year minimum tenure or Electives.  Check the current Masters Program requirements in STARS2.

 

Q.     Once I complete all the required courses, how long will it take for my achievement to be recognized?

A.     STARS2 will recognize your achievement within a few days after you complete the requirements. If you have a valid email address in STARS2, you will be sent a congratulatory email.

 

Q.     How many Master / Senior Master technicians are in my FCSD Region?

A.     The number of Master Technicians and Senior Master Technicians in each FCSD Region are listed under FACTS SHEET on the Rewards & Recognition page of the PTS website.

 

Q.     Who is the youngest technician to achieve Master / Senior Master?

A.     Ford Motor Company does not track technicians' ages for the Masters Program.

 

Q.     Why isn't my name listed on the PTS website? I achieved Master / Senior Master according to STARS2.

A.     The PTS website list of Master and Senior Master technicians is only updated once per month. Your achievement should be listed next month.

 

Q.     Why didn't I receive the email announcement of my Masters achievement?

A.     We email an announcement of your achievement to your email address on record in STARS2.  Verify that your current email address is on file. Often times our emails may be blocked by spam blockers or email filters on your internet service.

 

Q.     Where will the Masters Program awards be shipped?

A.     Awards will be automatically shipped to the achieving technician's dealership to the attention of the Dealer Principal.

 

 

MASTERS REQUIREMENTS

 

Q.     Can technicians check their own training records on the web?

A.     Yes, technicians and dealership management can track an employee's training history via STARS2 which is linked from FMCDealer.com or from the PTS website.

 

Q.     How do I view the Masters Program requirements in STARS2?

A.     The Masters requirements are listed in the training planners in STARS2. To access the planners go to the PTS website (linked from www.FMCDealer.com). Click on STARS2 and log in with your dealership information. Select "Employee Certification Summary" near the top of the screen. Your certifications should appear. Assign yourself the desired certification (Senior Master, Chassis Master, etc.). Then click on the training planner icon to view the list of required courses.

 

Q.     Could the Masters Program requirements change mid-year, making the program a "moving target?"

A.     Yes, the requirements to complete a specialty area could change in the event that new courses are developed. The Masters requirements will be based on the current requirements for each specialty area. The most accurate list of Masters requirements will be found in STARS2.

 

Q.     Are Senior Master Technicians required to complete all engine specialties?

A.     The Diesel specialties 51 and 52 will count as an alternative path, in place of specialties 31 and 32, to achieve Engine Master and/or Senior Master Technician. Technicians are NOT required to complete both 31 & 32 and 51 & 52.

 

Q.     I completed the course requirements for both the gasoline and diesel paths for Engine Master. Do I receive two plaques and ingots?

A.     No, the Diesel and Gasoline paths are alternative ways to achieve Engine Masters. Technicians who achieve both Diesel and Gasoline Engine Masters should be complimented on their achievements; however, there is only one Engine Master plaque.

 

Q.     What if an STST course I need to complete my Master, or Senior Master status is not available at my training center?

A.     Classes are scheduled based on requests from dealerships.  All STST courses should be requested through STARS2. Technicians can register and complete training courses at any regional training center. If the local training center is not offering a required course you may be able to take the course at another training center.

 

 

ASE

 

Q.     After an ASE exam, when are test results reflected in STARS2?

A.     The ASE exam results will appear in STARS2 about 2-3 months after your test date. You should receive your own individual results several weeks before the exam results appear in STARS2. Please be patient and avoid contacting us until at least 3 months following your exam date.

 

Q.     Will the November ASE results count toward the current Masters Program?

A.     November ASE results will be recorded in STARS2 before the current Masters Program year ends. Therefore, the November ASE exams will count towards the completion of the current Masters Program.

 

Q.     My ASE results are not in STARS2.

A.     STARS2 and ASE compare your STARSID number and last name.  If there is variation in the spelling of your last name between the two systems (O'Malley vs. OMalley), then the data will not transfer.  You will need to correct the spelling in either STARS2 or the ASE records so they match.

 

Technicians who started working at a Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership after March 2006 will need to notify ASE of their STARS ID in order for their exam records to transfer into STARS. Please access the following website to register your STARS2 ID with ASE: https://www.ase.com/matches/ford/default.asp 

 

Q.     Why is ASE required for Masters?

A.     ASE certification is important for several reasons, but perhaps the most important is that it provides an independent, third-party credential verifying a technician's technical knowledge based on industry-developed standards.

 

ASE is the only nationally recognized and accepted technician credential that is endorsed and accepted by virtually every segment of the automotive industry, from shop owners to car manufacturers. Likewise, ASE certification has become a basic requirement for technicians participating in many emission testing and/or safety inspection programs across the nation. In addition, vehicle owners have come to recognize and trust ASE certification as a symbol of a repair facility's commitment to high standards and quality service.

 

Q.     Why is L1 required for all Engine Masters, when I/M testing is not nationwide?

A.     In order to be considered a Master Technician in any area, we do require associated ASE tests be successfully passed.  Out of the 40 questions on the ASE L1 test, only about 7 pertain to I/M Failure Diagnosis.  Although your state may not perform I/M testing, we feel that it is essential to demonstrate proficiency in all areas of engine performance if one is to be considered an Engine Master Technician.

 

Q.     Why is the ASE L2 exam required for technicians seeking to achieve Diesel Engine Master?  Isn't the L2 exam for heavy trucks?

A.     It is important that both paths to achieve Engine Master are equally challenging.  We reviewed the L2 exam and determined that the content is generic enough to all diesel engines that it should not prevent a trained, experienced technician from passing.

 

Visit the ASE website at www.ase.com to view details of all the ASE exams, including tips and resources to prepare for the exams.

 

 

ADDITIONAL HELP AND SUPPORT

 

Q.     I am having trouble with an RTTP (Rotunda Technician Tool Program) certificate or an RTTP order. How do I get help?

A.     Contact the RTTP support center at 1-800-ROTUNDA and select option 6.

 

Q.     I am having trouble with my STARS2 ID, STARS2 password, scheduling a course, or other STARS2 related question.

  1. Additional help can be obtained from the FMCDealer home page, click on Dlrs ask Ford BAC.

 

Please to submit a TIS Assistance Request Form for assistance.