Leveraging technician training to invest in the growth of your shop

The importance of technical training in an automotive repair shop cannot be understated. The collective success of a shop and the professional development of each individual technician is supported by the frequency and quality of training. Deciding which programs to participate in and how often is crucial.

The continual rise in the adoption of ADAS technology and the upcoming wave of electric vehicles means independent repair shops have an excellent opportunity to plan accordingly for these changes by investing in developing their own technicians’ skill sets.

Technical training is not only an excellent tool to keep technicians and shops in the know of changing equipment and technology – but can act as an excellent tool in employee recruitment and retention.

Frequent technical training

Automakers are seemingly coming out with new tech and safety features every year – leaving room for greenhorn and experienced auto technicians alike to fall through gaps in their knowledge. These gaps can not only negatively affect the overall performance of the repair shop, but the professional development of technicians as well.

The best way to leverage technical training and avoid gaps in knowledge is to consistently send techs to training sessions multiple times a year. But how often should a shop owner recommend and provide technical training to their technicians?

Younger, less experienced techs should be going to training courses multiple times a year (three to four training sessions) to help hone their skills and expose them to as many new technologies, equipment, and safety procedures as possible. These techs haven’t been around the block as much as their older counterparts and multiple training sessions are a great way to familiarize themselves with different techniques and repair strategies.

More experienced technicians won’t need as much retraining since they’re likely more aware of the different repair techniques needed to tackle unique challenges. However, sending an experienced technician once or twice a year will keep their skills sharp and expose them to new equipment and technology that can solve problems in newer, more efficient ways.

Where to go for training?

Frequent training sessions are meaningless if the training itself isn’t up to industry standards, so finding the right training sessions to enroll your technicians in is paramount.

The best training courses and certifications will be found in industry-recognized brands such as Automotive Service Excellence certifications, which offer tests for ADAS calibration, light to heavy duty trucks, hybrid and electric vehicles, and more. These, and other industry-respected certification programs, position the entire shop and each technician as experts and can be used as a selling point in getting customers through the door.

Other training courses shop owners and technicians should be looking out for are those provided by equipment manufacturers, as they give better insights into the tools and equipment technicians will use during repairs. For instance, the Bosch Module Training program offers courses and educational videos tied to how and when to use Bosch equipment. These, and other training programs like it, offer technicians insights on how to better utilize the tools and equipment they already have at their disposal.

Training as a way of recruitment and retention

Automotive technicians are becoming a rare breed these days – placing employee retention and recruitment high on the list of priorities for shop owners across the country. And other than pay and benefits packages, shop owners need to find ways to entice technicians to enter their shop and stay there.

Taking part in regular technician training sessions with reputable and respected organizations is key to technician professional development. By providing technicians with these training sessions, shop owners are giving them the opportunity to grow and learn in the repair industry.

Shop owners can leverage technician training in their recruitment and retention efforts by prioritizing technician training and presenting it as an opportunity for professional development and growth. Technicians will be interested in joining the shop and staying because they know they can become better at their jobs and set themselves up for future success.

New technologies and automotive industry innovations mean technician training has never been more relevant. However, it has also never been more accessible or valuable to an entire repair shop and each individual technician. Technician training offers both shop owners and technicians the ability to grow and evolve in an industry that has consistently been changing and innovating.

 Information provided by Bosch