Training Tomorrow's Technicians

Today's new cars and new trucks are more complex than ever. They provide their owners with longer runs of trouble-free operation, but when something does go wrong, it must be diagnosed correctly and repaired quickly.

Consumers are willing to pay fair prices to have their vehicles maintained and repaired, but they want it done correctly the first time. Both customers and technicians hate "comebacks."

Training used to be available from many different sources, but today, outlets offering high-quality automotive training are dwindling. Fortunately, WyoTech is there to provide training.

WYOTECH'S ROOTS

The collision/refinishing courses started in 1971 and automotive trim and upholstery followed in 1977. Street-rod building and auto customization began in 1992. In 2000, the automotive course was expanded to include chassis fabrication and high-performance engines.

WyoTech's latest post-graduate specialty course is High-Performance Power Train (HPPT). It's an advanced-concentration course designed for auto-technology course graduates. Introduced at the college's Blairsville, Pennsylvania, location, this course is now available in Blairsville and Oakland, California. Current plans call for the HPPT course to be available in Laramie in October and in Long Beach, California, sometime after that. Eventually, WyoTech plans to offer the HPPT course at all locations where the automotive-technology course is offered.

HPPT PREPARES TOMORROW'S TECHS

"We prepare people for careers. When they leave WyoTech, they have salable skills," says Lane V. Hart, vice president of development. "Our graduates leave us ready to work and are immediately employable."

The students at WyoTech make a commitment to their careers. Graduating from a school such as WyoTech enables graduates to obtain a high-paying job quicker without having to spend much time "paying dues." For those students who dream of getting into the world of high performance, the training they receive allows them to get in earlier than they thought possible.

"Our students get hands-on experience," Hart explains. "The hands-on training is designed to reinforce the theory they learn. They also work on actual projects and are graded on the project as well as their in-class training. The HPPT course takes into consideration that students must learn much more than just engines. They need to know the complete power train," Hart says. "They need to know what the outcome will be before they start a project. We call that a 'planned outcome.' "

WyoTech spent some serious money on all-wheel-drive chassis dynos to test those "planned outcomes."

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

WyoTech works with established companies in the high-performance field to train students. "Technicians don't build engines by hearsay anymore. Today, a technician has to know how to use a computer to check the synergy and the results," Hart says.

HPPT program sponsoring partners include Banks Engineering, COMP Cams, Dynojet, Barry Grant, Edelbrock Corporation, Denso, ProRacing Sim, Power Enhancers, and more.

"We buy performance vehicles, rolling chassis, and engine and transmission components to make certain our students are thoroughly trained," Hart says. The school has purchased products from Edelbrock, crate engines from Chevrolet and Dodge, and fuel-injection systems, carburetors, computer SIM systems, and transmission gears.

"So far, we have invested in 16 late-model performance cars and three diesel trucks; we have one each from Ford, Dodge, and GM. Banks Engineering has really helped here by supplying the school special discounts on the Banks Big Bundle and the Six Shooter Tuner. Banks Engineering even has a special WyoTech price sheet and provides excellent technical support," Hart says.

"Gale Banks has been a big supporter of the program from the start. We went to Gale first and he chaired the committee that set up the course. He used his network of business associates to get feedback to WyoTech and his technical staff even reviewed the course outlines. It's an excellent example of industry supporting education. There are no textbooks out there. We have to create this course of instruction ourselves.

"Overall, the high-performance aftermarket industry has been very supportive of our training efforts. Mickey Thompson tires has supplied us with wheels and tires for dyno testing and even established WyoTech as a dealer; K&N Engineering has donated its complete product line and offers us good pricing structure and major discounts. We don't necessarily want freebies; we just want a good price," he adds.

Other industry sponsors include Magna-Flow, MSD, Royal Purple, Summit Racing Equipment, Wilwood, Turbonetics, and more. "Our students really benefit from industry support," says Hart. "They realize if a customer can't get a part installed correctly, he or she won't buy it. HPPT is not a typical community college course. Engine technology is only one-quarter of the course. What students learn in the HPPT program is how to build a vehicle to certain performance specifications and outcomes.

"Our students get real results. They start with baseline results and measure the improvement. There must be a synergy between the parts and the modifications, otherwise these changes can actually hurt the performance of the vehicle," says Hart.

"Knowing these results is what makes this program special."

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

"With so many schools moving away from hands-on training, it's unfortunate that high-school graduates know more about computers than they do about wood shop, music, or cars. We're already seeing growing demand for qualified people to engineer, build, and service the cars of tomorrow. While it seems nearly every kid can build a Web site, few know how to keep their car running. It's those who aren't afraid to turn a wrench who I feel will be able to command the highest salaries in the future, and WyoTech offers the training required to excel in the automotive field."

Vic Edelbrock President & CEO Edelbrock Corporation

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

"I wrenched my way through college building hot-rod and racing engines. This August, I'll begin my 50th year in business. That's five decades and one thing has never changed—well-educated and competent mechanics, fabricators, and engine builders are rare and hard to find.

"With that in mind, we began to support WyoTech. Recently, we finished a two-year stint working with WyoTech on the design of their new High Performance Power Train (HPPT) and Light-Duty Diesel curriculum. Why did we bother? Well, we're selfish. At Banks, we are in business to win.

"I think most of my SEMA colleagues would agree, if we are going to succeed in the speed equipment arena, it will take people like WyoTech graduates to make that happen. Speaking personally, Banks products are best installed by skilled hands and nimble hands and these are the product of WyoTech.

"But we take it even further in the Banks Advanced Products Engineering department. There, WyoTech graduates work on test-vehicle riggings and data acquisition, plus race-vehicle construction, wiring, and plumbing. Engine-dress and dyno-room evaluation, as well as chassis dyno and on-track setup, are also performed. These guys are a part of the continuing success at Banks and they're clean-cut, hard-working, decent people. WyoTech should be proud."

Gale Banks President and CEO Banks Engineering

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

"We can no longer dump underachievers into auto technology. Automotive technicians today must have skills and intelligence at the level of an X-Ray technician. Auto technicians today are dealing with high-end electronic components. Vehicles today are far different from those of just five years ago.

"A career in the automotive-service industry involves a lifetime of training and updates. Technicians must update their skills every five years; that's why our certifications last for five years. After that time, what you once knew is out of date and you must update your training.

"We see the market is changing from do-it-yourself (D-I-Y) to do-it-for-me (D-I-F-M) and that means it is growing. Customers are looking for some level of assurance—that is training and certification. They want to know the money paid for automotive maintenance and repair is being well spent. We find there is a direct connection between training and the ability to diagnose and repair a vehicle correctly the first time.

"The biggest challenge today is computer technology. And hybrid gas/electric vehicles with their complex battery systems and regenerative braking systems require updated training.

"Motor vehicles carry our most precious cargo—people we love. Technicians who are trained and certified work hard to get that training and certification. These are the people we want repairing and maintaining our vehicles.

"Certified technicians have higher self-esteem and are happier, more productive employees. There are a host of positive aspects to ASE certification.

"ASE certifies technicians and schools; it does not certify shops. That's a common misconception. We do not certify shops, but we do make recommendations. For example, a shop with ASE Blue Shield status indicates that more than 75 percent of the technicians working there are ASE certified. The good news for auto technicians is that ASE offers test dates four times each year; they are never more than 45 days away from certification tests.

"In addition to technician training, ASE helps SEMA develop certification programs for installers. SEMA tests are often conducted at the same time as ASE tests."

Tony Molla Vice President, Communications ASE