Des Moines Area Community College is a publicly supported, two-year institution serving the Des Moines metropolitan area and surrounding counties, with six campuses across this district. The main campus is located in Ankeny, Iowa, a suburb of the capitol city, Des Moines. Building 13 on the Ankeny Campus is home to three automotive programs: Auto Mechanics Technology Program, Daimler/Chrysler-CAP, and General Motors-ASEP, as well as factory training for General Motors, Chrysler, AC Delco, and Alternative Fuels. The Ford-ASSET Program and Ford Factory Training Center are located in Building 14. Over 45,000 square feet of space is designated for automotive training.

The Auto Mechanics Technology program offers students four options: a diploma in Maintenance and Light Repair; a diploma in Auto Engines and Tune-Up; a diploma in Auto Chassis and Power Trains or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

The CAP, ASSET and ASEP programs are all AAS degree programs. Students enrolled in these programs are sponsored by a partnering dealership. Internships at these dealerships provide the students with hands on experience and an hourly wage. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the ASE certification tests and most become full-time employees of the dealerships that sponsored them.