Recruit and Train Technicians the WANADA Way!

Recruit and Train Technicians the WANADA Way!

WANADAês Automobile Dealer Education Institute Recruits & Trains Techs for You

A unique technician development program, designed by dealers for dealers, WANADAês Automobile Dealer Education Institute (ADEI) technician training program is now accepting applicants for fall classes. ADEI tech training is designed specifically for dealers who need to recruit and develop new technicians or round out the skills of existing techs.

–If you have a good person with a genuine interest in making auto technology a career, itês a great program,” says Steve Cappolella, service manager for Sheehy Ford of Gaithersburg, who has had several techs in the program.

The WANADA ADEI tech training program provides instruction in the eight primary ASE technical disciplines, including brakes; steering/suspension; electrical; engine performance and repair; heating and air conditioning; and transmissions.

–Weêve used the WANADA tech training program for years,” said Gary Higgins, director of fixed operations at DARCARS. –It fits in well with our overall technician development efforts.”

Dealers can participate in the program in three ways:

1) enroll an existing employee whom they want to train to be a technician (such as a promising lot attendant or service department helper);

2) enroll an existing technician who needs to expand training and skills; or

3) hire a pre-screened applicant recruited by ADEI from an area high school auto shop program or affiliated workforce agencies.

The ADEI Tech Training program combines a structured classroom, shop and interactive curriculum with full-time, mentored, on-the-job training. The NATEF-aligned curriculum is taught by professional educators, some of whom have worked in dealer service departments.

Hereês how the program works:

· The new employee-participant works four days a week in the dealer service department and goes to training classes one full day a week at either Montgomery College or Northern Virginia Community College.

· The full day of training includes classroom instruction, hands-on learning and one hour of manufacturer-specific online training.

Dealers contribute nominal tuition fees per student which assists program funding which mainly comes from institutional sources.

Dealers provide each participant with a technician mentor, who in turn works with the participating tech to ensure he/she performs required NATEF tasks at the dealership in coordination with classroom instruction.

· Unlike other technician training options, WANADA provides direct, on-going support to the student, the mentors and service managers to ensure everyone is getting what they need from the program.

On-going support for participating dealers includes the following:

· ADEI staff recruit and screen applicants, monitor student grades and provide regular progress reports to dealer service managers.

· ADEI provides starter tool kits to students.

· ADEI works with education consultants and college instructors to ensure curriculum is matched to NATEF requirements and provides the training needed to take and pass ASE exams.

· ADEI works with students and college instructors to ensure students are aware of ASE exam registration deadlines and testing dates.

· ADEI staff meet regularly with service managers, mentors, students, instructors and others to ensure all stakeholders are getting what they need from the program.

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ADEI staff members are currently recruiting and screening high school students taking auto shop classes. Once these students graduate this June, theyêll be available for summer placement in dealerships and enrollment in the technician training program this fall at either Montgomery College or NoVa Community College.

Alternatively, the program offers the flexibility for dealers to tailor training to individual employees. This option enables existing mid-career technicians to learn new skills or update old ones.

Dealers in both Maryland and Virginia now have a dealer-designed, WANADA-directed technician development program right in their own backyard! Donêt miss out on this unique opportunity to improve fixed operations with online techs. To learn more, call WANADAês ADEI staff at (202)237-7200.

A fact sheet explaining ADEIês Technician Training Program is enclosed with this WANADA Bulletin. Please distribute it to the appropriate service managers and fixed-operations directors.