I-CAR's Mobile Qualification Test (MQT) program delivers welding qualification tests to shops around the country
It's one thing if your shop has a training center on site. Then, it can be easy to schedule training. Or, maybe you've got a huge staff, making it easy to send half to training sessions while the other half holds up the fort at your shop.
Many collision repairers, however, don't have those luxuries. Fortunately for them, training can now be brought to them, and not much more than a reliable power source and a space for classroom activities are needed.In July of last year, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) announced the launch of the Mobile Qualification Test (MQT) program, which allows I-CAR to deliver its welding qualification tests directly to individual businesses across North America. The MQT program enhances the existing I-CAR network of qualification test sites, which are commonly found at career and technical schools and colleges. In interviews with ABRN, I-CAR leaders discussed the MQT program.
"The MQT program allows us to bring the qualification tests to the shops," says I-CAR Qualification Test Program Manager Audie Swedeen. "We have three tests, and we can do them directly in their facilities."
The program was successfully piloted in California and the Southwest by I-CAR Program Instructor Toby Chess, leading to nationwide expansion."I approached Audie about doing the welding program in shops four years ago," says Chess. "At that time, I-CAR was only able to perform the welding qualification program at designated sites."
In February 2005, Chess put together a welding test for Holmes Body Shops in Los Angeles. Swedeen joined him, and together they tested 26 technicians in four days by moving four welders, stands and a vice to four different shops in a pickup truck. The tests were a success for both I-CAR and the shops, leaving Chess hungry for more.
"There was enthusiasm with all of the techs," says Chess. "I worked with Audie for the next three months and came up with a plan to do the welding test in the shops. At the end of April, he said that I could do the testing."Through utilizing his own equipment, Chess approached a number of his shop-owner friends and told them he would teach their techs how to weld and would administer welding tests in their shops. Everyone he sought out was interested.
"Every time I would go into a new shop and tell the owner that I could do the I-CAR welding qualification test in the shop, nearly everyone wanted to participate," says Chess. "The first year I tested 804 technicians, and, to date, the most that had ever been done at an existing welding site was 420 in Dallas. Soon after, the MQT went nationwide."
Seeing it in action
In February, ABRN visited Consolidated Auto Service Center Inc. (CASCI) in Forest Park, Ill., while the shop was hosting an MQT. The facility, a former State Farm claim center, is 31,000 sq. ft., and features four downdraft booths, one prep station for edging parts (located in the actual body shop), nine frame racks, four separate estimating bays, a conference room for meetings and training, private offices, a professional waiting area and a fully staffed mechanical shop with a separate entrance and showroom.
When ABRN was there, 15 technicians were on hand for the MQT, five of which were CASCI employees. I-CAR's Josh Nelms handled the training duties.
"We have plenty of room in the shop and a conference room to hold classes, so it made sense to have the MQT here," says Dan Hurt, owner of CASCI. "I was amazed at how well equipped I-CAR was. Josh was a professional. I would definitely do it again."
In fact, Hurt has already scheduled the Automotive Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test for June 5.
Hurt has been in business since 1977, when he opened up a closed-down tire shop. In 1981, he opened a second shop in Oak Park, Ill., where he specialized in repairing stolen vehicles. As competition grew and the thefts dwindled due to the advent of the computer chip, Hurt expanded into body work.
He says aggravation led him to relocate to Forest Park, where a larger facility and "a town where you are appreciated by the village" awaited. In CASCI's first year in Forest Park, the company did close to $5 million in business. In May 2005, Hurt purchased the current facility, and renovations were complete by July 2005.
After the original remodel, Hurt says his painters and body men were cramped together until a new body shop area was finished in August 2006. Now there's room for everyone, as well as room for training programs, such as the MQTs.
How the MQT works
I-CAR utilizes fully equipped, mobile units that carry all the equipment needed to administer all three of its qualification tests. The tests cover the Automotive Aluminum GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test, the Automotive Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test and the Structural Parts Steel Qualification Test. Training on MIG weld brazing and STRSW welding is currently being developed.
The MQT trucks can each carry up to five welders and handle 20 technicians per day. The MQTs are split up into eight zones, with eight different trucks servicing the lower 48 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. Besides having Chess, based in Los Angeles, MQTs are located in:
- MQT-1 covers California and Nevada (I-CAR is currently looking for a driver/administrator for this truck);
- MQT-2: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota — Tim Ryan;
- MQT-3: Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona and New Mexico — Mike McCormick;
- MQT-4: Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas — Kevin Costner;
- MQT-5: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio — Josh Nelms;
- MQT-6: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, N. Carolina, S. Carolina and Mississippi — Casey Mullins;
- MQT-7: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia — Steve Baur;
- MQT-8: Ontario and Manitoba, Canada — Bill Davidge.
Why it's important
By participating in the MQTs, shops can train technicians while keeping them in the shop with little or no downtime. Testing can be conducted during business hours, so once technicians complete the tests, they can go right back to work.
Getting training done fast and efficiently is great for shops. Perhaps even more important, however, is the fact that technicians are getting much needed training — training they may not have obtained if they had to travel to get it.
"I have found that nearly every tech in the industry has had no formal welding training," says Chess.
To date, Chess has tested 1,260 technicians in steel and aluminum, logging over 60,000 miles since June 2005. According to rough estimates from I-CAR, the MQT program has educated 2,600 technicians thus far.
Sterling success
Another shop that has utilized the MQT programs is Sterling Autobody Centers, which operates over 60 locations nationwide and repairs in excess of 60,000 vehicles annually.
According to Paul Blaski, training manager, Sterling has had MQTs at its shops in Chicago, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Atlanta, and they plan to utilize it in their remaining markets.
"Our involvement with I-CAR, particularly the welding MQT program, illustrates our commitment to industry excellence, as well as insuring that our technicians are qualified and skilled in this critical area of repair," says Blaski.
Sterling has received many benefits from the program, according to Blaski, including higher quality repairs, lower cycle times and an educated workforce.
"We are working to instill pride in our technicians and this program has assisted us in those efforts," says Blaski.
For more information, visit www.casci.com, www.sterlingautobody.com or www.i-car.com. To schedule an MQT, send an e-mail to [email protected].
