One of the first special projects I worked on after I was hired at Babcox Media was the 1998 Aftermarket Training Guide, produced by Babcox and the Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC), and sponsored by NAPA. This 180-page supplement provided a list of companies offering training as well as hundreds of available courses – from Advanced Suspension and Steering Systems to Vehicle Ignition Systems Theory and Diagnosis.
The incoming ATMC president at that time was Corey Glassman, whose words 18 years ago still ring true today:
“Training must keep pace with the introduction of new tools, concepts and vehicles. … The Internet will play an important role in delivering on-time training. … Multimedia will be the name of the game.”
The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) also supported the supplement, and its president at the time, James Wanberg, said, “Perhaps the most promising trend we’re seeing for 1998 is providing technicians with more and more information about systems theories. It is extremely important for technicians to understand how things operate … This is a significant step in the right direction because the technicians must first and foremost understand how the system works to make a proper diagnosis … There is a tremendous benefit to a shop when a technician understands a system and feels confident about repairing that vehicle.”
He went on to say that shop owners who monitor their techs’ time and productivity will realize the increase in productivity when a tech’s diagnosis knowledge and repair skills are improved. “Studies monitoring technicians before and after training show owners get their money back tenfold from technician training programs.”
Maybe this initial project was what cemented my belief that training is one of a technician’s most important tools. Hopefully you find TechShop and our sister publications (namely Underhood Service, ImportCar and Brake & Front End) helpful training tools. The Humble Mechanic’s podcasts also provide down-to-earth real-world advice, and now Babcox Media introduces a new platform to find training.
AutoCareVideo is a hub for aftermarket video content. The website (www.autocarevideo.com) brings together a wide range of videos from the automotive service, collision, distribution, engine building, powersports, tire and truck fleet market segments. Check it out and let me know what you think. New videos will continually be added.
Note: ATMC is conducting its 2016 Annual Training Benchmarks Survey, one for training providers and one for training consumers. To participate, go to www.atmc.org, and chose the corresponding link. The results will be presented at the ATMC Conference April 5-7, 2015, and posted on the ATMC website following the conference.
Note: Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is also collecting training information, see article below.
AMI Launches Effort To Collect Industry-Wide Training Provider Information
As part of a major enhancement project, the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) announced it is launching an industry-wide initiative to collect training provider information. Once collected, AMI will maintain the information in a searchable database on its website, AMIonline.org.
“For many years, the industry has been discussing the need for an easily accessible and current database of all industry training information,” said Jeff Peevy, AMI president. “As a nonprofit, we believe AMI is uniquely positioned, to collect, offer and maintain this free searchable database as a service to the industry.”
AMI encourages all technical and management training providers meeting the training needs of the automotive service and collision repair industries to participate in this initiative. The collection form is available at: http://www.amionline.org/#AMi/training-provider.
“By having a central database that the entire industry can turn to when specific training needs arise can be a powerful tool,” said Sheri Hamilton, AAM, AMI chair and executive director of ASA-Midwest.
