Dave Johnson, president and CEO of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), and Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation, were part of a congressional panel hosted by the Automotive Caucus to discuss the technician shortage and training of the next generation of automotive technicians.
Reps. Troy Balderson, R-Ohio, Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, and Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, hosted last month’s bipartisan roundtable discussion at the U.S. Capitol, featuring a diverse group of participants from across the automotive industry.
During his presentation, Johnson provided an overview of the environment that attracts individuals to the industry, the automotive programs and apprenticeships that train aspiring technicians and some of the key factors that keep students engaged in their pursuit of becoming a professional technician.
Johnson and Coley discussed the importance of automotive service program accreditation based on industry-developed standards to ensure that students receive quality education that will help launch them into a successful professional career. In addition, they emphasized the need for recognition of professional technicians as a way of highlighting the profession.
The representatives asked the panel participants for legislative solutions to address the technician shortage. Johnson and Coley proposed several measures, including investment in automotive training infrastructure through funding for facilities and equipment; requiring ASE accreditation to ensure funded programs deliver effective results; and leveraging political influence to encourage vehicle manufacturers and larger aftermarket service chains to commit financial resources to the training and development of future technicians.
“We thank the Automotive Caucus for inviting ASE to be part of its discussion on the technician shortage and appreciate their interest in finding ways to train and retain the next generation of automotive service professionals,” said Johnson. “The variety of participants from across the industry was impressive, and it was beneficial to have Reps. Kaptur, Dingell and Balderson in attendance to hear their views and share our insights with them.”
Acerca del Instituto Nacional para la Excelencia en el Servicio de Automoción (ASE)
Creado en 1972 como organización sin ánimo de lucro, el National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) es una fuerza motriz en la industria del transporte. Como tercera parte independiente, ASE mantiene y promueve altos estándares de servicio y reparación a través de la evaluación, certificación y acreditación de los profesionales actuales y futuros de la industria, y el prestigioso logotipo del Sello Azul ASE identifica a los profesionales que poseen los conocimientos y habilidades esenciales para desempeñarse con excelencia. Hoy en día, hay aproximadamente 220.000 profesionales certificados por ASE trabajando en concesionarios, talleres independientes, talleres de reparación de colisiones, tiendas de piezas de automóviles, flotas, escuelas y universidades de todo el país. Para más información sobre ASE, visite www.ase.com.