ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Top instructors from both the mechanical and collision repair industries presented their classes to full rooms as the Commitment to Training initiative kicked off with free training for automotive professionals.
More than 100 technicians, estimators, owners and managers attended the first free one-day Commitment to Training event at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Mich. The modern facility hosted the inaugural event as part of the initiative aimed at training today’s automotive professionals while providing them a network to learn from peers.
“I’m very excited by the response to today’s first one-day training event,” said Pete Meier, director of training for Motor Age and ABRN. “The professionals who attended Saturday’s event really understand the need to continue learning about the changing technology and procedures needed to repair vehicles today. I think they all took away lessons they can use immediately in their shops around the country.”
Automotive professionals from as far away as New York, New Hampshire, Virginia and Ontario, Canada, attended the Michigan event. All attendees received certificates toward continuing education credits including AMi and NATEF certifications.
Mike Rowe, a technician at H&I Expert Auto Care in Rochester Hills, Mich., learned about the event through Motor Age Training and studying to become ASE certified. “I want to be better at what I’m doing and have answers for questions from customers,” he said, adding he was excited to learn from Meier and his electrical and scope class. “I’ve seen him on YouTube and seeing him in real life was a lot of fun and very informative.”
Trainers for the sessions were Meier, Mike Anderson, G. Jerry Truglia, Larry Montanez and Brad Mewes. They covered electrical, diagnostic, material, OEM and financial lessons.
In addition to the two educational sessions, Anderson presented the morning keynote and representatives from the Advanced Transportation Center at Washtenaw Community College introduced attendees to the program that focuses on connected vehicles and the associated infrastructure. Attendees toured the facility following lunch.
But it was the training and staying on top of things for attendees that brought Matt Cerminara, who works at Penney's Auto Body Inc., in Ravenna, Ohio, to the event. “I just wanted to learn more about estimating and make sure that we’re getting all of the jobs that we can get,” he said. “Continuing education always ensures you’re doing the job the right way and for us, getting paid by the insurance companies all that you are to be paid.”
Joel Myers and Mike Tumanov with Snapsheet Inc.. understand that as being newer in the industry and younger professionals, these training events are a great help.
“Cars and repair procedures are changing and you have to know how to repair back to pre-loss condition,” said Myers, from Chicago.
The event at Washtenaw Community College was the first of three no-cost live events scheduled for 2016. Events are scheduled for Oct. 15 at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wis., and Nov. 19 at Jolliet Junior College in Jolliet, Ill.
The initiative includes webinars, live events, training videos, newsletters, whitepapers and resource guides all
available online, and culminates in Automechanika Chicago 2017, scheduled for July 26-29, 2017, in Chicago. To learn more, watch this video from Meier, sign up for the free email newsletter and learn first when registration for one-day events and Automechanika Chicago 2017 opens.
The Commitment to Training is made possible by support from manufacturer sponsors Carquest Technical Institute,
Delphi, Abaris Training, Mitchell 1, PPG, Polyvance, Pico Technology, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, Mitchell International, Motor Age Training, Axalta, Garmat USA and GFS.
