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12 February 2009
Training
It’s Becoming Hard to Give
I have found that training these days is becoming very hard to give. Some adverse objects have been placed in the way.
 Alot of people ‘burnt’ it by big sales pitches… some folks overcharged for the session. As a result, people are saying, “I’m not supporting this any more!”
We’ve found that many jobbers refuse to pay for clinics now because they believe that there is no loyalty any more. Anyone can attend the clinic—but the jobber is paying for it and no one pays him back! For example, XYZ Auto Parts store wants to have a suspension clinic. The suspension aftermarket company will charge XYZ for the clinic. In turn, the jobber will go out with the jobber sales representative to promote the clinic and get the technicians out. Then the technicians will ask what it’s about, is it the same as last year, is it something new, etc. If 30 technicians sign up, then the jobber will charge them $00 each. If he gets more to attend, the price per person goes down.
Lack of info
Our biggest drawback today is the lack of information that we get. As well as doing a clinic to help technicians learn something new, naturally the company also wants to promote the product lineup. When I do a technical clinic, it’s just that… technical, no sales-pitches. Of course, the suspension (and/or other products) logo is on each page of the presentation or Power Point slide we’re discussing.
In my mind, I see that if training is not available and given to those who need it, the small independent shops will not survive. That will start the domino effect… the warehouse will shut down for lack of business and of course, the manufacturer will also be in the same predicament.
Installation procedures
The training today isn’t all about new products—a lot of it is about procedure to install… different procedures for different vehicles. On some vehicles, the way to install parts is very, very specific. Let’s take a coil spring for instance. An aftermarket company has a coil spring that will cover 5-6 cars—it doesn’t look exactly like the OE part. In the box the part comes in will be found instructions saying ‘On this vehicle, the top loop goes there.’ Most installers throw that piece of paper out. They install the spring their way and oh my gosh, it’s noisy! Now another spring must be purchased and more labour charged. As I said, installation instructions are specific and meant to be followed precisely. It’s hard to get information… for a 2008 vehicle, it’s not available, but remember—the warranty is good for the next three years! All the bulletins are available, but the scanner is now the big issue.
For example
With OBD2, it got the manufacturer to cut a link six inches from the steering wheel inside the vehicle—either left or right of the steering column—the Data Link Connector will be found. They all have to have 16 pins; all codes regarding pollution have to be the same. That all came about in1995. For instance, a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu has an electronic steering system—no more power steering fluid, it’s an electric motor. That vehicle requires a bi-directional scanner in order to work on the car. You need to centre the steering and so the electric motor with the correct scanner will go back to ‘00,’ otherwise you’re guessing.
Fixing vehicles is getting to be tricky! So much to learn, so little time. Technical instructors love to do clinics but remember, even today, that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Training is vital… the cost shouldn’t be a hindrance.
Pierre Bissonnette was the technical instructor for a major aftermarket manufacturer. He holds a teaching certifi cate in andragogy – which is the art and science of helping adults, whose general education has been cut short, in their learning process.
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