NASTF: Road to Great Technicians Needs Industry Buy-In
NASTF: Road to Great Technicians Needs Industry Buy-In
OVERLAND PARK, KS (March 4, 2016) - “Building the Road to GREAT Technicians” was the
featured topic of the National Automotive Service Task
Force (NASTF) Spring 2016 General Meeting, Wednesday,
March 2, 2016 in Overland Park, Kansas. “The automotive
service industry has been very good to me, but I won’t
recommend it to my daughters for their career,” said
Kevin FitzPatrick, President of Autologic Diagnostics.
“And it’s not because of the pay scale. It’s because
it’s disorganized and doesn’t take advantage of the most
talented kids that come to us.”
On this topic Rob Morrell, Training Director for WORLDPAC moderated a series of presentations from experts including:
- Kevin FitzPatrick, President, Autologic Diagnostics Inc
- Bob Augustine, Training Director, Christian Brothers Automotive
- Mark Saxonberg, Mgr, Alt. Fuel Vehicles/Envir., Industry/Govt. Relations, Toyota Motor Sales
- Jill Saunders, Engineer Tech Info & Diagnostics, Toyota Motor Sales
- Kurt Immekus, Service Publication Regulatory Specialist for Volkswagen
- John Latner, Training Manager, ACDelco
- Trish Serratore, President, NATEF/AYES
- Scott Brown, President, iATN
- Chris Chesney, Sr. Director of Customer Training, CARQUEST Technical Institute
The challenge of finding qualified technicians is well
documented in the automotive service industry and that
challenge is expected to become even greater as vehicle
technology continues to proliferate.
“It’s essential we figure how to keep the pipeline of
new students full and how to make them GREAT technicians
for a lifetime,” said Saxonberg.
“We need to drop our brand and affiliations and come
together on this,” Chesney challenged. “Our industry
needs to adopt a single, common message that will
connect with technicians from high school through
retirement.”
Presenters portrayed a disorganized industry
highlighting several competing initiatives from both the
automaker’s and the aftermarket. “We have many great
training programs and several respectable student
recruiting programs,” noted Morrell. “I hope this
discussion compels organization.” NASTF is inviting all
industry stakeholders to engage in the discussion to
find a solution to this critical need. NASTF’s Education
Committee will continue the work begun with this
session.
The entire three-hour meeting, including reports from
each of NASTF’s six project committees was webcast by
iATN from www.nastf.org and
recorded for future viewing from the NASTF YouTube page,
www.youtube.com/NASTFdotORG.
View event photos: www.nastf.org/GeneralMeetings
View additional NASTF press releases: www.nastf.org/media
NASTF was established in 2000 to identify,
communicate and resolve gaps in the availability and
accessibility of automotive service information,
service training, diagnostic tools, and equipment for
the benefit of automotive service professionals and
their customers. NASTF was incorporated in 2006 as a
501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization. Additional
details can be found at www.nastf.org.
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