Automotive trade magazines have been part of the industry since 1899. The first one to appear was called Motor Age and it’s still around. I had the honor of being the Editorial Director of Motor Age early in my career, and learned that trade publications are an important resource to keep their readers abreast of the latest news and information, along with advances in technology and legislation that directly impact their daily lives. What some don’t realize is that trade publications are also an important source of technical training to help those same readers stay sharp and make them aware of what they don’t know. Those trade publishers serve as the voice of the industry and are also an important facet of the organizations and individuals who make up Team ASE.

In this episode, we talk with Chris Jones, Editorial Director of the Vehicle Repair Group at Endeavor Business Media. Chris is the latest in a long line of editors charting the direction of the trade magazines Endeavor publishes which cover pretty much all segments of the automotive service and collision repair industries. He shares his insights into how trade publishing has evolved and what it means to the readers he serves.

Hear all about it as we talk with Chris about:

·         How the automotive trade magazines serve the industries they cover and supplement the ongoing training necessary for today’s technicians.

·         What Endeavor Business Media is and what automotive markets they cover.

·         Chris’ direct responsibilities as Editorial Director and how he came to be at Endeavor.

·         How publications have changes over the years to use online resources and podcasts to share information.

·         The biggest challenges working in the technical arena as an editor.

·         How Chris leverages his involvement and industry events to find the most effective and useful content for his magazines.

·         The process for finding candidates to fill his Editorial Board.

·         The importance of giving the industry a voice.

·         How the magazines stay true to their mission over the years.

·         Why technology has allowed magazines to get even closer to their readers.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

Evaluation Team Leaders or ETL’s are a vital part of the ASE Education Foundation Accreditation process. The final step in that process is the visit by an ETL to evaluate the program for approval of accreditation. But the important role ETL’s play goes far beyond that final inspection, and that role is often misunderstood. In this episode of the Team ASE Podcast, we talk with Marlo Miranda at the ASE Education Foundation, whose job it is to train and support those individuals tasked with helping Career & Technology Education (CTE) programs improve and grow through ASE Accreditation.

Hear all about it as we talk with Marlo about:

·         His role at the ASE Education Foundation training and supporting Evaluation Team Leaders.

·         Marlo’s background as a Master Technician, business owner and instructor.

·         How the ETL’s support schools through the accreditation process by validating the information provided by programs seeking ASE Accreditation.

·         The critical pieces of information necessary for the accreditation process.

·         The importance of Advisory Committees to the accreditation process.

·         The ETL inspection process and observation of the instruction process.

·         Who are the ETL’s? What is their typical background and what do they have in common?

·         The qualifications necessary to become and ETL.

·         The training to become an ETL and where it is available.

·         The support an ETL receives from the ASE Education Foundation.

·         How ETL’s are assigned.

·         Why being an ETL is a valuable tool for professional development.

·         Where you can get more information on becoming an ETL.

·         The ASE Education Foundation website address is www.aseeducationfoundation.org 

·         Marlo’s advice for schools seeking ASE Accreditation.

·         How ASE Education Foundation Field Managers can help support CTE programs seeking accreditation.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

If your organization provides technical training in the auto, truck or collision industry, the ASE Training Manager’s Council (ATMC) was created for you. Founded in 1984 as the Automotive Training Manager’s Council, their mission as a non-profit organization is dedicated to promoting the advancement of training and professional development within the extended automotive service industry. ATMC is a group of training professionals dedicated to helping advance technical training through networking, collaboration and the adoption of the latest technology.

Each year, the ATMC hosts an annual conference with content specifically aimed at training providers. The 2025 ATMC Annual Conference will be April 22-24 in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta. This networking and training event offers insights into best practices for delivering training and an opportunity to learn about and anticipate emerging trends. In this episode, we talk with Matt Shepanek, ATMC President and Vice President of Credential Testing Programs at ASE, about what members can expect when attending this year’s conference.

Hear all about it as we talk with Matt about:

·         What the ASE Training Manager’s Council is and his first encounter with the organization as a training manager at Audi.

·         Why he finds it a valuable resource.

·         What’s happening at the 2025 ATMC Conference in Atlanta.

·         The typical agenda at the conference and what was discussed at the last conference.

·         How AI is being used in training development and delivery.

·         The latest on augmented and virtual reality in training.

·         The rundown on each day’s agenda at the 2025 conference.

·         The Aftermarket Round Table at ATMC.

·         The Annual Training Benchmark Survey.

·         A breakdown of the membership at ATMC.

·         The Excellence in Training Awards and how anyone can participate.

·         The networking resources on the ATMC website.

·         For more information on ATMC, visit their website at www.atmc.org

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

Dr. Alex Richards is a PhD with a purpose. As the content developer and Q&A specialist for Electude, Dr. Richards brings his experience as an automotive instructor and Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) to make life easier for CTE program instructors going through the ASE Education Foundation accreditation process. In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we caught up with Alex at the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference to talk about Electude’s history, their support of the conference as a Gold sponsor and the training he provided while there.

Developed by former CTE instructors, Electude’s e-learning platform reimagines the ways technical students learn and retain information. The learning modules utilize gamification principles and interactive resources, including animations and simulations, to create a discovery-based environment that keeps students engaged throughout their training. With programs in light vehicles, heavy vehicles and systems technologies, Electude offers a highly adaptable platform that performs equally well in the classroom, in the shop, or at home.

Hear all about it as we talk with Alex about:

·         His background and experience as an automotive instructor and technician.

·         How his first automotive instructor instilled a love for the industry.

·         Finding his purpose while training as a technician.

·         Why teaching was his next logical step.

·         How he found Electude and the Automotive Instructors Technical Network (AITN)

·         His role as a product manager at Electude.

·         How Electude was founded by two automotive instructors.

·         The interactive educational products Electude offers.

·         The training Alex presented at the ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference.

·         How Electude helps streamline the accreditation process.

·         Placing a value on teacher time.

·         The value Electude places on their partnership with ASE and the Education Foundation by reimagining business relationships.

·         For more information on Electude, visit their website at www.electude.com

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

Each year, millions of dollars are available to help students cover the cost of education. Sadly, millions of dollars are also left on the table for lack of students applying for what amounts to free money. For those interested in a career as an automotive technician, there are several scholarships which not only help cover tuition, they can also provide the tools necessary to get started. But along with the tools and training, CTE students also need mentorship from other professionals to get them heading in the right direction for success. In this episode, we’ll talk with two individuals who are making a difference in the lives of aspiring automotive professionals by providing all of the above.

Steve Johnson, a popular and successful motorcycle drag racer, started the B.A.T.- Man (or Woman) scholarship in 2023. This Be A Technician scholarship awards tools and what Steve calls free money to students in CTE programs across the country. Before making the scholarship award, Steve gives a presentation entitled “Marketing Your Brand After the Diploma” to all students in the CTE programs he visits to  encourage students to identify their passions and seek out the resources to build a career path around doing what they love, similar to what Steve has done in his racing career.

April Lausch is the manager of Faulkner Collision in Lancaster, PA who shares the value of getting involved with your local CTE program to find the technical talent that is necessary for success. She also has a mentoring program for several local students looking for a career in collision repair that has already produced what April calls “rock stars” for Faulkner.

Hear all about it as we talk with April and Steve about:

·         Thinking outside the box to engage students for the industry.

·         How April found and used the scholarship opportunities available to help two students working in her shop.

·         Why scholarships are Free Money.

·         Steve’s background in NHRA Racing and how he uses it to reach out educators and promote the scholarships available.

·         What the Be A Technician scholarship is and how it works.

·         April’s work as the manager of Faulkner Collision in Lancaster, and her involvement in many advisory boards.

·         Steve’s student presentation on promoting their personal brand.

·         Why it’s important for industry to support CTE education.

·         April’s mentor program for entry-level technicians.

·         The different paths to success.

·         For more information on the B.A.T – Man (or Woman) Scholarship, visit the website at www.stevejohnsonracing.com/scholarships.

·         The importance of instructors in the process and getting involved with your local CTE program.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

Just as today’s automotive technicians need to keep updating their toolbox to diagnose and repair the latest technology, so too do those with the responsibility of training tomorrow’s automotive specialists need to continuously evaluate the classroom tools they use. Fortunately, there are members of Team ASE who work to supply those resources CTE instructors must have to keep up with a constantly-evolving learning environment. In this episode, we talk with David Giles, EV Educational Product Specialist at Consulab, an organization that partners with recognized leaders in the industry to ensure today’s students have access to the best educational tools available.

But it’s not just equipment, Consulab supports CTE educators across the nation and each year offers training on the latest EV technology at the ASE Education Foundation Instructor’s conference. Dave is one of those trainers who shares his knowledge and experience to help instructors keep abreast of the latest technology, while offering some important tips on engaging students and building excitement for an automotive career.

Hear all about it as we talk with Dave about:

·         His background in product development and his work as an instructor at a community college teaching alternate fuel technology.

·         How he specializes in electric vehicles.

·         What Consulab is and the products it provides to help automotive instructors.

·         The focus on safety in EV instruction.

·         How best to incorporate EV technology into existing training programs.

·         The training Consulab provided at the Instructor Conference.

·         The value of interactive training experiences.

·         From actual vehicle to training aid and how it improves the training process.

·         Why thermal management is a big factor in EV training.

·         Dave’s tips for getting students excited about an automotive career.

·         How instructors can get answers and find valuable tips through ongoing training and collaboration.

·         For more information on Consulab and the products they provide, visit the website at www.consulab.com.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

One year ago, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) underwent a leadership change as Dave Johnson became the new President and CEO of the organization. In fact, the first Team ASE Podcast interview was with Dave and we ended with a promise to check in with him from time to time to talk about some of the changes that always come with new leadership. In this extended episode, we kept that promise and caught up with Dave to get his feedback as his first year draws to a close and to talk about some of the changes that happened in 2024 and what’s new at ASE for 2025. As you’ll learn, Dave’s had a busy year!

Hear all about it as we talk with Dave about:

·         The vision of ASE and its contribution to credibility, trust and competence through excellence.

·         The technician shortage and ASE’s role in addressing this need.

·         How it all starts with the consumer.

·         Investing in advertising to promote the ASE brand to consumers and the industry.

·         The role of the ASE Education Foundation in accrediting career & technical education programs.

·         Providing the G1 Maintenance & Light Repair to automotive students as an entry-level professional credential.

·         The new partnership with WrenchWay to attract new talent.

·         Connecting schools and students with local employers.

·         Adding the G1 automatically to those holding Master Technician status.

·         Improvements in ASE test availability through the new Pro Proctor program.

·         ASE Testing in the comfort of your own home.

·         Improvements in testing convenience and availability.

·         The encouragement for continuous learning by ASE certified professionals.

·         The new chat feature for customer service.

·         Exploring a new ASE Certification test for locksmiths.

·         Taking a look at AI and how it may impact the automotive professional.

·         Dave’s vision for the future to enable success.

·         The statistics on the value of ASE certification to individuals holding the credentials and the businesses that employ them.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

When we talk about Team ASE, we’re talking about the thousands of individuals all working toward a common goal of improving the automotive service industry. One key part of that group is the trade press. This year, Motor Age, a magazine name familiar to technicians and shop owners everywhere, celebrated its 125th Anniversary. Although a lot has changed during that time, the mission and dedication of the automotive trade press remains the same, as does their important role within the industry.

We caught up with Chris Messer and Mike Willins at the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference to talk about that role and the support Endeavor Business Media provides for the collective effort to attract and train the automotive professionals our industry needs.

Hear all about it as we talk about:

·         Endeavor Business Media and the markets it serves.

·         The prevalence and importance of trade publications like Motor Age.

·         How the internet has impacted the automotive trade publishing industry.

·         Why technology makes delivering important technical and business information easier.

·         The responsibility of the trade press to the automotive service industry.

·         The new-age challenge of being an automotive trade editor.

·         The omni-channel reality in delivering the message to where the audience wants to receive it.

·         The advantages and limits of using AI technology in publishing.

·         The training Endeavor offers to the industry and automotive CTE educators.

·         How Endeavor supports the mission of ASE and the Education Foundation.

·         How the Endeavor team works to give back to the automotive industry.

·         Going from monthly to minutely in publishing technical and business information.

·         The role of trade publishing in looking ahead for the industry and technicians to help them keep up with fast-changing technology.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

The ASE Education Foundation couldn’t provide training to CTE instructors through the annual Instructor Conference without the support of our industry partners. We’ve been profiling some of these Team ASE supporters to recognize their contributions to building our future workforce, and we continue that recognition with a look at Lucas-Nuella Incorporated, a manufacturer of training systems for vocational programs with its headquarters in Germany and a Gold Sponsor of the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference.

In this episode, we talk with Gerald Schex, Senior Vice President; Steve Westbury, Sales & Marketing Manager, and Dirk Niemeyer, Technical Trainer, about the equipment and training Lucas-Nuella provides to schools building both Electric Vehicle (EV) and Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) curriculums.

Hear all about it as we talk about:

·         A short history on how Lucas-Nuelle was founded and what it does to provide training to the automotive industry and many others.

·         Their goal to offer the latest training on EV and ADAS systems at the ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference.

·         The products and training aids Lucas-Nuella offers for educators.

·         Details on the training curriculum for EV and ADAS systems.

·         The focus on safety for the students and instructors in all of their products.

·         How Lucas-Nuelle equipment and curriculum helps automotive instructors prepare to deliver the latest technical information.

·         How culture factors into the training process.

·         The value of interactive learning.

·         The ADAS training offered at the Instructor Conference.

·         How you can lean more about Lucas-Nuella and the products they supply at www.lucas-nuelle.us

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

There are many creative ways Team ASE collision industry partners find to support the effort to attract and train the technical talent we need for today and tomorrow. Two important ones include providing sponsorship support for the annual instructor conference and finding creative ways to get consumable materials into the collision programs to help stretch scarce school resources. Evercoat does both.

In this Team ASE Podcast episode, we talk with Tim McKinney, Senior Field Application Engineer at ITW Evercoat, one of the Platinum Sponsors of the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference. This type of industry involvement is critical to ensuring that those tasked with preparing the next generation of collision professionals have the tools, products and information to deal with the latest in fast-changing automotive technology. The ASE Education Foundation couldn’t provide the level of support necessary to CTE programs nationwide without Team ASE partners like ITW Evercoat.

Hear all about it as Tim explains:

·         His first job at Evercoat as a technical trainer and how it led to his current role.

·         The history of Evercoat which began in Cincinnati providing solutions for the marine market.

·         Evercoat’s current products focused on the automotive collision industry.

·         Evercoat’s support for technical education and CTE instructors.

·         The training he provided at the 2024 Instructor Conference.

·         Then panel discussion that made learning technical tips fun.

·         His work on developing special programs to provide Evercoat’s products to technical training programs.

·         How this effort helps cut the cost to instructors, who often spend their own resources to get supplies for their classes.

·         Why Evercoat feels their involvement with the ASE Education Foundation is important for the future.

·         The need to never stop learning as technology drives change.

·         Learning more about Evercoat and the products they supply at www.evercoat.com.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

First introduced in 1996, U.S. legislation requires all cars and light trucks since then to be compliant with the second-generation On-Board Diagnostic system that provides vehicle self-diagnosis and reporting capabilities for repair technicians. OBD 2 is a standard protocol that gives technicians access to vehicle electronic subsystem information to monitor engine performance and analyze repair needs. Starting in 2008, the requirements were updated to implement OBD 2 through a Controller Area Network (CAN) as specified by ISO 15765-4. The next update is scheduled to happen in 2027 and that’s good news for diagnostic technicians and something CTE instructors need to be aware of when training current and future technicians.

One of the best OBD trainers in the industry is Rick Escalambre and he shared his extensive knowledge of existing OBD diagnostics and outlined the changes coming soon at the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference. It’s the kind of cutting-edge training available to CTE instructors nationwide every year in July. In this episode, we talk with Rick about the upcoming changes to OBD 2 and the readiness monitor training he provided if you couldn’t make the conference this year. 

Hear all about it as Rick explains:

·         How he enjoys giving back by sharing his knowledge and information with working technicians and CTE instructors, even in retirement.

·         What his class on OBD 2 monitor testing involved and how he researches “OBD 2 between the lines” to help everyone keep up with the changes.

·         Why diagnostic and repair of a Check Engine light is the same for those in non-emission states as it is for those who require periodic emission inspections.

·         Why there is still much to learn on the OBD 2 system by working technicians and teachers.

·         What he covered in his readiness monitor diagnostic class.

·         The new Global OBD on UDS system and how it works.

·         How the new system organizes diagnostic information into convenient “packets” to provide more precise information for emission technicians.

·         The new ISO 14229 protocol scan tool manufacturers will build the necessary software updates to take advantage of the new protocol.

·         What the 14229 protocol means in terms of diagnostic information.

·         What to look forward to for his class plans for next year at the Instructor Conference.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

In this episode of the Team ASE Podcast, we focus the spotlight on a well-known name in education that has been training young automotive professionals since 1966. WyoTech’s stated vision is to serve their students and the industry by providing the best learning experience, training and outcomes. Since becoming a family-owned private company 2018, that vision and mission hasn’t changed, including WyoTech’s support of the ASE Education Foundation’s Annual Instructor Conference as one of the organizations providing training for CTE instructors and as a dedicated member of Team ASE.

We caught up with Shawn Nunley, VP of Training at WyoTech, at the 2024 Instructor Conference to talk about the collision training they presented and how they offer choices of opportunities for the young men and women who choose Laramie, Wyoming as the place to pursue the training to begin their automotive careers. As Shawn explains, it’s a place that provides a number of options.

Hear all about it as we talk with Shawn about:

·         A short history of WyoTech and how they have grown since changing into private ownership in 2018.

·         The different training programs offered by WyoTech and the choices they provide for their students.

·         The goal of working with secondary school CTE programs to offer continuing education.

·         Graduating a new class of automotive professionals every three months.

·         How WyoTech helps students find their career path and succeed.

·         The important basics for keeping up with new technology.

·         Why WyoTech thinks relationships are important and how they work to create partnerships with the industry.

·         How they facilitate employment opportunities.

·         The training WyoTech provided at the 2024 Instructor Conference.

·         The unique programs offered by WyoTech for opportunities in the auto, collision, diesel, and custom fabrication industries.

·         Shawn’s advice for those thinking about an automotive career.

·         You can learn more about WyoTech’s training programs, scholarships, VA Education Benefits and much more on the website at www.wyotech.edu, or by calling their toll-free number at 800-521-7158.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

One of the most important facets of Team ASE is the dedication of the technical training community who each year provide hundreds of CTE instructors with the opportunity to stay abreast of advancing automotive technology at the ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference. This includes several individual shop owners who consistently volunteer their time and talent to not only train the trainers, but to also provide internships in their business. One such individual is Scott Brown, co-owner of Connie & Dick’s Auto Service Center in Claremont, CA. Scott is one of the leading technical trainers in the industry on Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), and a regular trainer at the Instructor Conference. But Scott’s commitment to passing on his technical knowledge and experience goes beyond his training classes around the nation. He also mentors students from the same high school CTE program he attended. He not only represents an excellent role model for the next generation of automotive professionals, he shows how the independent repair community is working to help provide the technical talent we need for the future success of our industry.

Hear all about it as we talk with Scott about:

·         The training he provided at the 2024 Instructor Conference.

·         How to use visual tools for ADAS instruction.

·         The AI tools he has developed to help technicians understand the computer science.

·         Using case studies to show how ADAS systems operate.

·         The ADAS book he has co-authored with teaching supplements for instructors.

·         How he gives back to the industry by mentoring students from the high school CTE program he attended.

·         The mentor-mentee application he uses to provide structure to the process.

·         How he uses his shop as a teaching experience.

·         Why Scott works to provide the knowledge transfer to the next generation.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

The ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference is the largest dedicated CTE learning opportunity in the nation. None of it would be possible without the support of the industry partners who show their commitment by providing the technical talent, training, and support to keep CTE instructors nationwide on the cutting edge of rapidly advancing automotive technology. The Team ASE Podcast series recognizes that support and commitment by spotlighting some of the training available to those instructors at the 2024 conference that continues to improve and advance the knowledge and skills of those charged with the responsibility of preparing tomorrow’s technicians. 

In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we talk with Gary Uyematsu, National Technical Training Manager at BMW Group University. Hear all about it as we talk with Gary about:

·         His background in the automotive industry and time as an instructor.

·         The latest in remote diagnostics with BMW vehicles.

·         BMW’s progress on autonomous driving.

·         The new aluminum-carbon body structures.

·         New repair processes for carbon fiber body components.

·         The carbon repair technology BMW uses.

·         The evolving skill sets necessary for collision technicians.

·         BMW’s commitment to the educational community.

·         How BMW works with the Adopt-A-School program.

·         BMW’s STEP program and Youth Initiative.

·         The BMW career path.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

The 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference continues as the largest dedicated CTE instructor training conference in the nation. Although the growth of the conference has been steady over the years, none of it would be possible without the support of the industry partners who make it all possible. Each year, these sponsors show their commitment to providing the technical talent the automotive industry needs by providing the resources and training talent to keep CTE instructors nationwide on the cutting edge of automotive technology.

In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we talk with Leah Balto and Jacob Bond of Milwaukee Tool about the company involvement with the ASE Education Foundation and why the leadership at Milwaukee Tool thinks its one of the best ways to support students, CTE instructors and the industry at large.     

Hear all about it as we talk with Leah and Jacob about:

·         Why Milwaukee Tool supports the ASE Education Foundation.

·         The 100th Anniversary of Milwaukee Tool this year.

·         How they provide solutions in a variety of tool areas.

·         How Milwaukee brings value to the end user of their tools.

·         The process of listening to technicians to provide innovation.

·         The Milwaukee philosophy of never settle, always improving.

·         The plans for providing training in 2025 at the instructor conference.

·         The relationship between education and industry.

·         Building relationships with instructors and students.

·         How tool electrification mirrors vehicle electrification.

·         Bringing more safety and productivity to the service bay.

·         How to get more information on Milwaukee Tool solutions at www.milwaukeetool.com.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

On July 15th, 272 CTE instructors from across the nation came together in Minneapolis for the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference. Antonio Melendez, an automotive CTE Instructor at Westbury High School near Houston was one of them. With about 4,500 hour of training available from 57 companies and 44 sponsors, it’s the largest instructor training event in the industry. 

In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we talk with Tony about the personal and professional significance of attending the 2024 ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference. In upcoming podcasts, we’ll talk about the kind of technical training available in the 2024 conference and the value it provides to the instructors and those who support their efforts to educate the next generation of automotive professionals.     

Hear all about it as we talk with Tony about:

·         Tony’s background and how he came to be a CTE instructor in Texas.

·         How his jobs introduced him to mentoring and apprenticeships.

·         His ten years at Westbury High School.

·         What value he sees in attending the Instructor Conference.

·         How the training and other instructors he finds at the conference helps him be a better teacher.

·         Getting new learning strategies from the experience.

·         Why the outstanding technical training is important in preparing for new technology.

·         How the training helps Tony hone his teaching skills and techniques to better engage his students.

·         Why the knowledge he gains is transferrable to the classroom.

·         The networking available at the conference and how it helps new instructors adapt and find answers to common problems.

·         The support available to instructors through the ASE Education Foundation.

·         The challenges of presenting EV training in the classroom.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

Matt Martinez is a young man on a mission to be the best. His commitment to excellence as an automotive technician was recently demonstrated when he attained World Class Technician status before his 25th birthday. The World Class Technician recognition by ASE and the AutoCare Association is not easy to achieve, and to date only about 2000 technicians have done it. When you consider that there are about 800,000 automotive technicians in the United States, it’s a very exclusive club.

In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we talk with Matt and his boss, Jeremy Reardon, Service Shop Manager at Westside Lexus in Houston, TX about the significance of Matt’s achievement and the importance of recognizing those highly qualified specialists who keep America moving. We’ll also talk about how Matt got started on his journey and how industry professionals like Jeremy get involved personally with their local Career & Technology Education programs to help attract, train and develop the automotive technical specialists we need to service and repair our technologically-advanced vehicle fleet.

Hear all about it as we talk with Matt & Jeremy about:

·         Matt’s first encounter with the automotive service industry and why he chose it as a career path.

·         The training he received at Cy-Fair High School in Harris County, TX.

·         Jeremy’s involvement in his local CTE Advisory Councils to find the technicians Westside Lexus needs.

·         What it means to be a World Class Technician and the requirements.

·         Matt’s achievement of World Class Technicians Status at age 24.

·         The importance of recognizing technicians for their achievements.

·         How the ASE tests have helped grow his technical knowledge.

·         The preparation Matt used to be successful on his ASE certification tests.

·         Matt’s role as a team leader and mentor at Westside Lexus.

·         The ongoing training automotive technicians receive.

·         Matt’s advice for those technicians just getting into the automotive industry.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

One of the most significant challenges facing the automotive service industry is attracting and keeping the technical talent we need now and for tomorrow. It’s not a new challenge, but is a growing cause for concern. The good news is there is no shortage of new ideas for changing the image of our industry to reflect the high-tech nature of a technical career. Today’s automotive technician is as much a technology specialist as anyone engaged in the diagnosis and repair of our highly computerized vehicle fleet. 

In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we talk with Carm Capriotto, founder and host of Remarkable Results Radio to explore his idea for an intellectual transformation of our auto repair service industry. Carm is a podcast pioneer and well-known speaker and host with a “purpose to advance the Aftermarket by facilitating wisdom through storytelling and open discussion.” Since launching Remarkable Results Radio in 2015, Carm has offered automotive professionals a wide variety of information to help build success and critical thinking on topics simple and profound. His most recent idea for elevating the image of the industry offers a new way to recognize those highly qualified specialists who keep America moving.

Hear all about it as we talk with Carm about:

·         His background in the automotive industry as part of an entrepreneurial family.

·         Discovering podcasting as a way to reach service professionals.

·         His ongoing quest for the next thing in the automotive industry.

·         The Rise of the Mechanical and Technology Specialist concept.

·         How using new language can impact the clients we serve.

·         Find Carm’s RISE declaration at www.remarkableresults.biz/rise

·         How using these new designations can help grow and keep your technical talent.

·         The positive feedback he’s received on the proposed language shift.

·         Helping clients recognize and appreciate the level of knowledge and training specialists provide.

·         Your opportunity to read, use and comment on Carm’s living document.

·         Why good ideas are meant to be shared.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

Team ASE is a group of individuals, companies and organizations who believe in the value of working together toward a common goal. That goal is the continuous improvement and evolution of the automotive service industry. One key element is the network of field managers working across the nation to assist and encourage CTE programs to achieve program accreditation. Another is the cooperation of several organizations that adhere to national standards in developing the technical talent the automotive industry needs for today and tomorrow. 

In this episode of the Team ASE podcast, we talk with Mike Cowles, Florida Field Manager for the ASE Education Foundation to explore how ASE and SkillsUSA work together to support each other’s efforts in building the future. He is one of many industry members who works closely with SkillsUSA in a number of ways that may surprise you. Mike retired to Florida in 2023 and continues his service to the industry as the Florida Field Manager for the ASE Education Foundation. 

Listen in as we talk with Mike about:

·         His background as an educator in a career & technical education (CTE) program and SkillsUSA State Director in Ohio. 

·         The SkillsUSA mission and purpose in the automotive industry.

·         The soft skills training SkillsUSA provides for employers.

·         How ASE works with SkillsUSA to support and promote career & technical education.

·         The support ASE provides by establishing standards used as guidelines by SkillsUSA at the regional, state and national levels.

·         The technical competitions SkillsUSA holds to spotlight the best of the best.

·         The custom testing ASE provides for the SkillsUSA competitions at all levels.

·         The involvement of ASE Education Field Managers in the SkillsUSA competitions and more.

·         How technicians and other industry experts can volunteer to be judges at the competitions.

·         What it means for the students who compete in SkillsUSA competitions.

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

One of the advantages of attending the ASE Education Foundation Instructor Conference is meeting individuals from around the country with interesting stories about how education and industry comes together to address the need for technical talent. Some of the members of Team ASE contribute to the effort by joining Advisory Councils to help instructors tailor their CTE programs to the needs of local employers. Others go a step further and actively provide employment for students in the form of internships or apprenticeships. Still others go all in by creating learning opportunities in their communities where none previously existed. 

In this episode, we talk with Tyson Sontag, a diesel technology instructor at Don Tyson School of Innovation in Springdale, Arkansas, who has an inspiring story of how one company put its full resources behind building a program to train future truck technicians in their local community. It’s a story of the kind of dedication and commitment typically found in those visionaries who build the future by investing their own talent and treasure today.

Hear all about it as we talk with Tyson about:

·         How McKee Foods partnered with a local school district in Gentry, Arkansas, to create a CTE program to address their need for truck technicians.

·         His time as a lead technician for McKee Foods and how it led to a career in teaching.

·         The success of his first class in the new program.

·         How that success led to a new $2.2 million dollar facility and resources.

·         His three years as a part-time CTE instructor and full-time truck technician.

·         How McKee Foods worked with his schedule to allow him to continue teaching in addition to his full-time duties.

·         McKee’s return on that investment with two excellent technicians and an ongoing internship program.

·         His new full-time teaching career and working toward his program accreditation with ASE.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and advice on the many facets and opportunities available through a career in the automotive service industry as we continue our Team ASE podcast series, and thanks for listening!

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

As with many other things in life that require a certain level of commitment and effort to achieve, it’s normal to ask “What’s in it for me?” It’s a fair question and one that I hear often when talking about professional credentials like ASE Certification.

Certification is all about helping you tell customers, employers, and other people about what you know while showing that you’ve gone the extra mile and put in the time and effort to be among the best in your profession. But there are other, more personal benefits which are often overlooked. In this second of a two-part interview, we’ll continue our discussion with Jonathan Couch, one of the newest inductees into the ASE President’s Club and a World Class Technician. 

When asking the question “What’s in it for me?” who better to talk about how ASE Certification can help advance your skills and knowledge than someone who has held more than 50 ASE Certifications in his career.

Hear all about it as we continue our talk with Jonathan about:

·         How ASE has benefitted him in his career.

·         Why ASE Certification is a reflection of how you invest in yourself.

·         Why employers are looking for a different type of technician today.

·         The importance of being aware of what’s coming.

·         The magnitude of change in automotive technology.

·         Why ASE Certification is a good way to evaluate your performance.

·         The advantage and relevance of a universal certification like ASE.

·         Living his dream at the Corvette World shop and Couch’s Automotive Racing Services.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and advice on the many facets and opportunities available through a career in the automotive service industry as we continue our Team ASE podcast series, and thanks for listening!

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

As it says on the ASE website, it’s one thing to just show up for work; it’s quite another to take control of your career, and get recognition for the knowledge and skills you’re developed over the years. That’s what ASE certification is all about: helping you tell customers, employers, and other people about what you know while showing that you’ve gone the extra mile and put in the time and effort to be among the best in your profession. That ASE certification patch you earn is proof of it.

There are currently 52 different ASE Certification areas and those who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment by achieving 50 or more certifications are invited for membership in the ASE President’s Club. Last year, six individuals were honored, and in this episode, we talk with Jonathan Couch, Owner of Couch’s Automotive Racing Services, about how ASE Certification has not just driven him to excel in his chosen profession, but also provided the opportunity to literally live his dream.

Hear all about it as we talk with Jonathan about:

·         How he got started in the automotive industry.

·         How his military service prepared him for what was to come.

·         Starting Couch’s Automotive Racing Services.

·         His background and experience as a CTE Instructor.

·         His achievement of World Class Technician status.

·         How ASE testing helped him expand his technical experience.

·         The time involved in achieving 56 ASE Certifications.

·         Using ASE Certification to evaluate his progress and identify weaknesses.

·         His desire to understand the work experience, not just technical knowledge.

·         Why work experience was instrumental in helping to pass the ASE tests.

·         Continuing the conversation in the next Team ASE episode.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and advice on the many facets and opportunities available through a career in the automotive service industry as we continue our Team ASE podcast series, and thanks for listening!

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

The ASE Education Foundation offers an annual Instructor Conference to provide training, professional development and networking opportunities for CTE instructors nationwide. The 2024 Instructor Conference is scheduled for July 15-18 in Minneapolis and offers something for every instructor to not just keep their technical knowledge up-to-date, but to also offer sessions to help improve their educational skills. One important aspect of the information shared is the keynote address in the General Session. The ASE Education Foundation selects speakers with an eye toward helping the instructors in attendance better understand themselves and the students they teach, particularly as it relates to the generational differences typically found in the classroom. 

In this episode of the Team ASE Podcast, we talk with Eric Chester, workforce researcher, author and award-winning speaker. Eric’s specialty is finding and keeping great employees. Eric was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Instructor Conference whose presentation offered important insights and information on our changing workforce.

Hear all about it as we talk with Eric about:

·         His background and experience as a teacher.

·         His message on how the workforce is changing.

·         His book Employing Generation Why

·         What employers are looking for in new talent today.

·         How the new generation is coming into the workplace.

·         The changes in how we work after the pandemic.

·         The gaps in communication between the generations.

·         The responsibility of teachers to students and industry.

·         What employers are looking for in core values.

·         The 8 “ate’s”.

·         The importance of communication and listening.

·         Why everything teachers do is being modeled.

·         The importance of celebrating success.

·         Find Eric’s books at www.ericchester.com 

·         You can register and learn more about the 2024 ASE Education Instructor Conference at www.aseeducation.org/events.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and advice on the many facets and opportunities available through a career in the automotive service industry as we continue our Team ASE podcast series, and thanks for listening!

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

One constant for those involved in automotive repair is ongoing training. Keeping up with rapidly advancing automotive technology is important for technicians, but doubly so for those CTE instructors who are tasked with preparing the next generation of automotive professionals for today and tomorrow. In fact, the ASE Education Foundation considers ongoing training so vital that it requires 20 hours of technical training per year as part of the accreditation process for CTE programs.

To ensure that instructors have access to this training, the ASE Education Foundation offers an annual Instructor Conference, usually held in July. But this conference offers a lot more than just training. Having a well-rounded instructor in the classroom is a hallmark of a quality CTE program, and the annual instructor conference provides something for every instructor to not just keep their technical knowledge up-to-date, but to also offer sessions to help improve their educational skills, develop effective networks, and interact with peers facing the same challenges every day.

In this episode of the Team ASE Podcast, we talk with Jennifer Holland, Assistant Vice President of Marketing for ASE, about what instructors can expect at the 2024 ASE Instructor Conference in Minneapolis, MN. 

Hear all about it as we talk with Jennifer about:

·         Her role with ASE overseeing marketing for ASE and its sister organizations.

·         The 2024 Instructor Conference being held July 15-18 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN.

·         The genesis of the ASE instructor conference in 2010.

·         Who attends the largest automotive instructor conference in the nation.

·         The trainers who provide education for the CTE instructors.

·         How much training is available at the conference.

·         The value of the networking available at the instructor conference.

·         The events available at the instructor conference to help improve an instructor’s teaching skills.

·         The major sponsors of the instructor conference and why they’re there.

·         How the instructor conference helps meet the challenges in the classroom.

·         The different training tracks for auto, truck, and collision programs.

·         Why anyone can attend the ASE Instructor Conference.

·         The opportunity to meet and interact with ASE staff face-to-face.

·         You can register and learn more at www.aseeducation.org/events.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and advice on the many facets and opportunities available through a career in the automotive service industry as we continue our Team ASE podcast series, and thanks for listening!

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com

There have been a lot of changes at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for 2024. We’ve talked about some of them on the Team ASE Podcast already, but we still have a few more to cover. In this episode, you’ll meet Virginia Oden, the newest Assistant Vice President at the ASE Education Foundation. With more than 20 years’ experience in recruitment and retention, she is no stranger to Team ASE.

Virginia worked with Career and Technical Education for the State of Oklahoma, which is where she first encountered the ASE Education Foundation’s accreditation process through her work with the schools and by participating in Advisory Councils. From there, she expanded her experience working with automotive, truck, collision and even aviation career programs.

In her new role, Virginia works directly with the ASE Education Foundation Field Managers and spends a lot of time on the road at events across the nation, participating in the outreach to local CTE programs and educators as part of the ASE Education Foundation.

Hear all about it as we talk with Virginia about:

·         Her background in the education industry and how she has worked with the ASE Education Foundation prior to joining the organization.

·         Working with the ASE Education Foundation Field Managers as her primary responsibility.

·         The knowledge and experience she is learning from her team.

·         Her time spent at conferences across the nation to see how other states deal with the same challenges faced by everyone.

·         How she looks forward to learning and sharing best practices and working with the students in CTE programs across the country.

·         What she sees as the biggest opportunities in automotive education.

·         How seeing the big picture will help in her role with the ASE Education Foundation.

·         An invitation to share your ideas and comments directly by emailing Virginia at voden@aseeducation.org

·         What drives her to improve automotive education. 

·         Her passion on promoting the dedication, talent and knowledge required to be an automotive technician in the 21st Century.

·         What gives her the most satisfaction in everything she does.

Stay tuned for more thoughts and advice on the many facets and opportunities available through a career in the automotive service industry as we continue our Team ASE podcast series, and thanks for listening!

For more information on ASE and automotive careers, visit the website at www.ase.com