World Class Wednesday: David Jenkins: Four decades of excellence
Earning the title of Automotive Service Excellence World Class Technician is no small accomplishment. To be recognized as World Class, these individuals have obtained ASE certification in 22 specialty areas: A1-A8 (automotive), T1-T8 (medium/heavy truck), B2-B5 (collision repair), and L1-L2 (advanced).
Not only is achieving certification in these areas impressive, but as of 2025, only 2,000 technicians have achieved World Class status.
In this Q&A, Motor Age sat down with David Jenkins — an ASE World Class Technician at Prince William Water in its Fleet Maintenance Department in Bealeton, Virginia — to learn more about his journey in the automotive industry and how gaining World-Class status has helped advance his career.
Motor Age: Please introduce yourself and tell us about your experience in the automotive industry.
David Jenkins: I have spent over 40 years in automotive repair, specializing in a wide variety of maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs. I have worked on everything from light-duty vehicles and equipment to medium/heavy-duty.
Motor Age: What's the most memorable repair you've ever completed?
Jenkins: Probably engine overhauls — which included removing the engine from the vehicle or equipment, totally disassembling, examining all of the components for damage and/or wear, measuring all of the components, and determine what parts needed to be replaced and/or machined to bring unit back within factory/OE specifications — reassembling, reinstalling in vehicle and/or equipment. And then lastly, starting the engine for the first time to run it in and make necessary adjustments.
Motor Age: Tell us one thing about you that we can't guess from your certifications.
Jenkins: I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving and have had a strong desire to understand how things work. I attended a three-year automotive technology course instructed by Don Viles at Osbourn City High School in Manassas, Virginia. I finished my senior year under a cooperative work program with a local tire shop, performing front-end alignments and repairs.
During my senior year, Viles enrolled us — myself and three classmates — in the Plymouth Troubleshooting contest, where I scored high in all five categories (Engines, Drivetrain, Steering and Suspension, Electrical and Fuel Systems, and Wheels-Tires-Brakes).
Motor Age: What automotive technology trend are you most excited about/ most concerned about?
Jenkins: I’m excited about hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen is the most abundant resource we have.
I’m most concerned about hydrogen fuel cell vehicles because:
- Safety, I would think having a hydrogen fuel storage tank with 10,000 psi has to present some level of safety concern.
- Affordability: I’m not sure if there is currently a cost-effective way to produce hydrogen fuel.
Motor Age: How has ASE certification helped advance your career?
Jenkins: My employer has an annual employee performance-based review, where I was recognized and compensated for successfully completing all necessary ASE certifications to achieve the ASE World Class Technician status.
Additionally, the ASE certification program was an excellent opportunity for me to test my knowledge and troubleshooting skills.
About the Author
Emily Kline
Emily Kline is a Special Projects Editor for FenderBender and ABRN. She has worked in the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media for over 2 years, learning about vehicle repair and the automotive industry as a whole. She has a bachelor's degree in English from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona. As a writer, she enjoys her fair share of reading and has no shame using the long Minnesota winters as an excuse to stay indoors and cozy up with a good book.