August 03, 2023 10:13 AM DAN SHINE  DealerPro’s new Technician Career Path program trains porters, valets and other dealership entry-level staff to be technicians. Fixed operations training company DealerPro has introduced a program to help add more technicians to a dealership’s service department and increase staff retention. The training company launched Technician Career Path, which trains entry-level service employees such as porters, detail shop workers and quick lane employees to become C-Level technicians able to make minor repairs to start. Participants learn about automotive systems, including tires and alignment, steering and suspension, brakes, fuel, and ignitions and drivetrains. The training takes place in the classroom and on the dealership shop floor. “The Technician Career Path program provides a much-needed solution to the technician shortage we are facing today,” said DealerPro Founder Don Reed. “By investing in our current staff and offering a clear path for career progression, we can support our technicians in achieving their potential and foster better employee retention.” The program consists of two five-day training sessions, held approximately 30 days apart, that combine classroom and hands-on learning and testing. During the first phase, students learn the fundamentals of engine technology, which they can build upon in future training. For the second phase, students have the opportunity for hands-on learning and will be introduced to specific shop equipment. Sames Auto Group, which has 13 dealerships across Texas, rolled out the program at its Ford store in Laredo. “We have been struggling to hire technicians; when we introduced the Career Path Training plan to our staff, they immediately embraced it with eight people applying for the first training program,” said Sames General Manager Thomas Pino.
Source