We want input from our members. Can you help us come up with interesting industry poll questions?
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Here at Tom Wood VW, everybody has the coolest toolbox! That's because we provide each technician with a toolbox and a workbench. Some of them decorate them with lights and certification magnets, to make them their own. But we feel that our techs have enough debts for just their tools, that they don't need to be drowning under toolbox debt as well.
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In my area of Central Oregon, kids are attracted to the industry. They love cars and enjoy working on their own cars. My son’s high school is full of these kids! The problem is getting them on the right path to lead them into an auto repair shop. I think parents and the schools could do much better with guiding these kids into this future. I personally went straight into a technical school after high school, all because they came to our auto class and gave a presentation. My son’s high school does not even have an auto program! Its not good!
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I spoke a couple weeks ago about taking the long cut, but there are pitfalls outside of the job taking longer to complete. In this case it got very expensive very quickly because two connectors broke and at $100 apiece, I'm on the hook.
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Jason our killer Service Advisor talks about what he like to do the most! He is an incredible part of our team here at Craig's
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Meet Tyler Bradshaw, Carr Chevrolet's top Service Advisor and Assistant Manager. We've been happy to have Tyler with us for the last 14 years. He worked his way up from a Service Porter, to an Express advisor at our sister store Carr Subaru, until finally making his way to where he is now.
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Mac Campos, Master Body Technician, 5 years of experience in the body shop
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We need to increase awareness--communication is a big thing. We don’t explain the why, the career path, or what we’re about as much as we should. A lot of new techs come in with a misunderstanding of what they've signed up for. We need to show people what the path looks like, from school and education to training, to implementing those things in the shop.
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25 YEARS OF SERVICE
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The age-old debate: Do you refer to yourself as a technician or mechanic? In a recent poll, 46% of our audience said “technician” while another 41% said it doesn’t matter.
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Technician
Mechanic, technician, grease monkey, parts slinger, wrench, goober, whatever, I literally do not care. I actually think that's a very big problem because I am highly skilled at what I do thanks to an expert teacher. In the military, my verse was Psalm 144:1, "Blessed be the Lord my rock who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight." When I left the military, I prayed, "Father, my business is no longer war, but if you can teach my hands to war, can you also teach them to wrench?" He sends me just enough that I struggle with to keep me humble, but we fix a lot of cars, so when I say I am highly skilled, that's not me bragging. As a highly skilled person, I should be concerned with the terms used to address members of this trade. However, I'm not because at least here in the United States, any person with a quick mouth and a few tools can call themselves a mechanic or "technician" and get a job, screw everything up for everyone and not get fired because, "He sells lots of parts and turns lots of hours and we need him." Not everyone can be highly skilled, but everyone could be ethical and they are not, which gives the industry a bad name. So, when someone asks me, I tell them, "I am a wrench." "Well, what do you do?" "I fix cars."
We in the industry need to make clear what to expect once you're actually in the shop, as well as provide real guidance on the job. The students that come in with the right training need more real-life education and hands on experience, so mentorship is key. You need to really learn by doing things to be good at what we do. Technical school doesn't teach you everything—I always tell new hires to come in open minded, ready to learn and not think they know it all. Be ready to listen, pay attention, and, most importantly, learn.
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Best tool box goes to Thomas! Thomas has a lot of personalized items on his bench that sets his box apart from other techs! Want an energy drink? Thomas has multiple flavors of his favorite energy drink! Thomas also keeps a hot wheel of the original 1974 Honda Civic on his bench to show Hondas deep history in the automotive world! Never hurts to put a personal touch on your bay!
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This is Technician Mike who is installing a new engine in a Blazer. This vehicle will be donated free of charge to Family Promise of Hamilton County where it will be given to a person in need of reliable transportation.
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We need continued education at the Middle School and High School levels to encourage students to learn more about skilled trades careers and how they can earn a really good living in the trades.
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