Fixed Ops Journal - October 2022 - F28

FIXED OPS JOURNAL
TOOLB X
The
3 THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
this economy is evolving, the need for diff erent
credentials is evolving, too, " he said.
A cohort-based, short-term training program
can provide students with the skills and
competency " that employers are desperately
seeking right now - at a fraction of the time, a
fraction of the cost to the student and their
families, " McInnis said.
Richmond Community College President Dale
McInnis, left, and Rick Hendrick, CEO of
Hendrick Automotive Group
Faster to employment
Richmond (Va.) Community College
and Hendrick Automotive Group announced
plans to open the Hendrick
Center for Automotive Training to
bring a new service education profor
automotive technicians will take weeks to
achieve instead of years.
College president Dale McInnis said an associate's
degree is valued and often necessary
to get the proper licensing in some professions,
such as nursing.
" But we're fi nding that as the job market in
1
gram to campus designed to get students into
jobs faster.
Th e college's work force training certifi cate
Parts purchasing
IMR polled 500 independent repair shops in
July on how often they purchase parts, their
employment of private label brands and why
they use them.
Here are a few highlights.
 Percentage of shop parts purchases that
are private label/store brand: 36.2%
 Percentage of shops that increased
purchases of private label/store brand
parts in past 2 years: 77.4%
 Over the next year, would you say your
purchase of private label or store brand
parts will:
Increase: 75.8%
Stay the same: 24%
PAGE 28 OCTOBER 2022
2
Promoting the profession
TechForce Foundation, which
encourages people to become
technicians,
launched its annual
" Because I'm a Tech " campaign in
late August to celebrate the profession
and promote it as a career.
Th e campaign features video testimonials
from techs across all industry sectors - from
auto, diesel and collision repair to aviation,
restoration, marine, welding and motorsports.
In the videos, the techs talk about the
lifestyle and benefi ts they enjoy as a technician,
including job security, compensation,
work/life balance and the satisfaction of helping
people.
Th e testimonials also dispel outdated stigmas
and share what it's really like to be a tech
today.
" As part of TechForce's work force development
initiative to power the technician work
force, 'Because I'm a Tech' showcases the attractive
lifestyle and secure economic potential
of this profession, " said TechForce CEO
Jennifer Maher. " Th ese careers are no longer
'blue collar,' but 'new collar,' high tech and in
high demand. "
Recruitment advice
WrenchWay, which helps pair
students and current technicians
with top service shops, recently
polled 34 experts in the automotive,
diesel and collision industries
and asked: What is the one thing shops can do
to improve how they're recruiting technicians?
Th
e responses were then published on
WrenchWay's website and loosely assembled
into nine headings. Th ey were: Make Your
People a Priority; Diversify Your Workforce &
Stay Open Minded; Build a Long-term Strategy
with Schools & Invest in Young Techs; Focus
on Shop Culture; Move Quickly; Pave a
Career Path & Off er Great Benefi ts; Sell Your
Shop & What Makes You Unique; Embrace
Transparency; and Social Media, Breaking the
Mold & More.
WrenchWay Co-Founder and CEO Jay Goninen's
answer, in part, was: " Empower technicians
to use their skills and training to fulfi ll
the mission of the organization. Give them a
clearly paved pathway for career development
and advancement. "
3
SERVICE COUNTER
Decrease: 0.2%
 For what reasons
do you expect your
purchase of private
label/store brand
parts to increase?
Infl ation pressure
affecting customer choice: 53.5%
Customer asking for lower-cost parts:
47.9%
Less expensive/more affordable: 42.2%
Better availability: 16%
Same quality as other/more expensive
brands: 8.6%
Fewer comebacks: 4%
Better reliability: 1.1%
FOJ TIP
W
ith a chill in the air in
some parts of the country,
Quantum5 Vice President
of Operations Dave Foy says
it's a good time for service departments
to start thinking ahead. Th is even applies
to those in warmer climes, Foy says.
Stock up on wipers, tires, cabin air fi lters
and all-weather fl oor mats. Update
the bulk washer fl uid to the " winter
blend " to prevent freezing.
And for staff , " get a winter hat for the
parts department, advisers, porters and
techs, " Foy says. " Every year I made this
small gesture and it was so appreciated
by those who had to go outside often. " 
Fixed Ops Journal - October 2022

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