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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Aside from the expected growth of younger technicians, and hitting our forecasted goals each month, the biggest thing we're working on is our sense of team. I have been having meetings twice a week in the shop reiterating the importance of "we" thinking rather than "me" thinking. I have challenged each member of service to be part of the bigger picture, part of the solution. We are having shop contests this month and next month to promote that team mentality, as well as get a little competition going. I am excited for the potential of where we can be in just a short amount of time.
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Wes Wins the Coolest Toolbox! He hand-built this from recycled pallets. We love his creativity and upcycling.
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I believe we can continue to work on and improve our culture, working through the youth that we already have here in our location to develop a inclusive environment that promotes the family like atmosphere.
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This afternoon Robert tells us what car he preferers not to work on and why
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Career ladder to build your career in the parts department.
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How often do you have one-on-one meetings with your manager?
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