Building the Future Technician Workforce
Lauren Reinhold, Director of Training & Education at Kirk NationaLease, shares her journey from technician to teacher to leading a technician training and apprenticeship program. She discusses how connecting with students on a personal level helps them succeed, and she breaks down key parts of the program she's building. Lauren
The Shop Owner’s Guide to a Mid-Year Technician Hiring & Retention Checkup
The ongoing technician shortage continues to make hiring a major challenge for shops around the country. In fact, PartsTech reports that 46% of shop owners and managers say the shortage of skilled technicians has had a moderate to highly significant impact on their business. Whether you're hitting your hiring goals
Career Survival Tips for New Technicians
Curtis Gardner, Audi Master Guild Technician at Sewell Audi of North Houston and Founder of Gnarred LLC, shares what young technicians need to know to build a respectful and lasting career. With 15+ years of experience, he covers common mistakes, how to survive your first months in the shop, and
Mentoring vs. Training Technicians
John Roberts, Shop Foreman at Metro Toyota, didn’t plan to be on the podcast—but his insights were too good not to share. In this episode, John breaks down the powerful difference between training and mentoring, shares how he builds confidence in his team, and explains why becoming a top-tier technician
The Aging Technician Workforce: What Shops Must Do Now to Prepare
The automotive and diesel industries are facing a critical workforce challenge: a growing number of experienced technicians are nearing retirement, and there simply aren’t enough young techs entering the field to take their place. Studies have shown that demand for technicians continues to outpace supply by an alarming 4-to-1 ratio.
Where Racing Passion Meets Customer Trust
Marc Erickson, National Sales at AutoMeter Products, Inc., grew up in a drag racing family and naturally found his way into the automotive world. Over 20 years ago, he started at AutoMeter, and his passion for the brand has only grown. In this episode, Marc discusses the importance of credibility
How Mentors & Mindset Unlock Technician Career Growth
In this episode, Dan Aldrich, Director of Automotive Technical Training at Christian Brothers Automotive, dives into what sets top technicians apart—a growth mindset paired with strong mentorship. Dan explores why soft skills are just as crucial as technical skills, how mentorship can transform many careers, and why investing in yourself
Why Shops That Use AI Will Outpace Those That Don’t
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t something to fear—it’s a tool designed to help you and your shop perform better. Despite what some over-sensationalized headlines might suggest, AI isn’t here to replace jobs. Instead, it’s here to work alongside you, making your day-to-day tasks faster, easier, and more efficient. In fact, a
Taking Auto Shop Online: How to Reach More Students Virtually
Bryan Robbins, Owner & Lead Instructor of Hot Rod High School, is bringing auto tech education to students at home through online lessons and take-home kits. What started during COVID now reaches homeschooled students and beyond. Bryan shares his journey of following in his dad’s footsteps as a teacher, how
RockED and WrenchWay Announce Strategic Partnership to Elevate Technician Training Nationwide
RockED, the premier people development platform for the automotive industry, today announced a strategic partnership with WrenchWay, the industry’s most trusted platform for connecting technicians, shops, and schools. This partnership will make technician-focused training—including onboarding, leadership, and soft skills—accessible to more than 3,100 automotive schools across the U.S., building a