Training Paradigms are Shifting - Tire Review Magazine

Training Paradigms are Shifting

Although one could correctly argue that the vehicle service business has never been “easy,” things certainly seemed simpler back in the good old days.

In many cases, when it came to vehicle maintenance and repair, employees learned the basics at school or perhaps home on a farm, then received whatever additional, specific training was required on the job.

My, how things have changed. Today – thanks to the vast range of Federal regulations, the need for improved fuel mileage and a dizzying array of technological improvements – today’s technican needs to be more knowledgeable than ever.

However, due partly to the decline of the family farm and the elimination of many industrial arts classes from public schools, some of your current and potential employees may be at a distinct disadvantage.

“Training has always been an important part of our program to support technicians,” says Rick Martin, manager of training and technical publications for ArvinMeritor. “However, in the early days of the industry, vehicles were simpler and training was considered more as a solution to a specific problem than as a proactive tool to save money and prevent downtime.

Part suppliers and other sources provided maintenance manuals for driveline, brakes and trailer components, which were the staple of training departments.”

In other words, if you needed to know how to repair a particular vehicle, you looked it up in a service manual or called a local dealer. No big deal.

As vehicles became more sophisticated, says Martin, it took more effort and guidance to identify and troubleshoot problems.

Training materials expanded to include more troubleshooting guides. As it became practical to use VHS, this tool was incorporated into the training mix. Vocational education was seen as an excellent conduit to helping technicians learn about maintenance and repair methods. Classroom training even picked up.

How Techs Learn
There are a multitude of professional and educational theories about how we learn, and most of them agree that there is no single style of teaching (or learning) that is effective in every case.

Training has evolved over the past decade, Martin explains, to include not only maintenance and troubleshooting manuals and training, but also self-guided learning methods.

Many will remember when training updates were little more than plunking down in front of a VCR while a poorly produced video droned endlessly. While it may have contained valuable information and was state-of-the-art at the time, this “training” procedure may have produced more well-rested technicians than technical experts.

Certainly, not all of today’s videos are guaranteed to be much better, but because video production techniques have gotten more professional, so have the products. With DVD technology (and newer standards coming along all the time), it’s easier for a viewer to find what is needed, watch it – often in cinematic quality – and move on.

The need for training has never been more critical. From the economic importance of keeping customers happy and safe to the requirement of following proper procedures to keep employees, customers and the public safe, ensuring your technicians learn what they need to may be a less challenging decision than how they learn it.

“Technology has not only helped the industry evolve to new levels of efficiency and cost effectiveness, but it has also helped those involved with technical training keep pace with the many changes that have occurred in the industry as well,” explains Martin. “But keeping technicians current on the variety of vehicle systems available today is a daunting task for dealers feeling the pinch of competition and the challenge of worker diversity.”

So how do you train effectively and economically? In many cases, you have a choice.

• Classroom training: Many training providers have facilities across the country that allow you to send employees to learn using the latest technology and the benefit of extremely compact class sizes (often one-on-one instruction is provided).

Don’t have the budget to send your staff away for training? Often, trainers from manufacturers or suppliers will come to you, saving the hassles of travel and allowing more of your staff to be trained simultaneously.

If classroom training is the right method for your situation, but bringing in a live instructor isn’t an option (for remote locations or other challenging situations, for example), satellite learning may be an alternative. Today’s HD video monitors and Internet technology mean simulcasts of classroom learning experiences can be just like being in the room with the instructor. Two-way communications via Web cams allow instant dialogue and a surprisingly natural experience.

Of course, the old standby, video, is yet another way classroom learning can be accomplished, although as mentioned earlier, today’s offerings are generally much more effective than those produced even a few years ago.

• Non-classroom-based learning: Many businesses are turning to non-traditional methods of instruction as the need for training becomes more acute. Online training offers many advantages that make it increasingly attractive.

Free online training is convenient and easily accessible for new hires or experienced technicians who need a refresher or are looking for specific information, says one expert. Putting these resources online makes them available at the technicians’ convenience, so the information is always there when it’s needed.

Some of these online services offer interactive modules that provide a variety of in-depth educational resources for review, including videos, instruction handbooks, technical bulletins, illustrations and more, followed by a multiple-choice quiz. Often the website keeps track of which modules a participant has completed, and can issue certificates of completion.

On-the-job training can easily be accomplished as well, thanks to the rapid growth of online technology. Technician trainees, as well as skilled technicians, can benefit from online services from a wide range of companies and associations.

The wealth of information that’s available online is staggering, and its value as a learning tool is equally impressive. According to TTi Online, a provider of instructional systems design solutions, interactive elements in online training products actively engage students in learning new information. Because online courses can be stimulating, interesting and fun, the company says the techs’ retention rates are increased 25% to 60% more than with traditional classroom training.

In addition, techs are able to learn at their own pace, so they can quickly review material they understand well and spend more time with more challenging subjects.

Regardless of how you accomplish your training, your employees have a greater need than ever. Research the opportunities offered by OEMs, parts suppliers, tire companies and other industry training resources. You’ll find that everything you need is likely just a visit, phone call or mouse click away.

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