For EXTEND PERFORMANCE, the formation of Technician.Academy was a logical step in the progression of its involvement in the aftermarket industry. Shawn Collins, EXTEND PERFORMANCE Founder & CEO, elaborates: “We’re brand installers, and effective how-to training is key to successfully instilling loyalty among automotive technicians. We’re so committed to our proven, award-winning process, we’re investing in the technicians of today and tomorrow with the planned launch of Technician.Academy.” EXTEND PERFORMANCE is the world’s leader in online and in-class brand installation.
According to Collins, “Technician.Academy will be category-based, which aligns itself perfectly with the numerous application-specific careers that are created inside today’s service bays. We’re looking for WD’s willing to providing on-going, expert-level category training. If your chosen to come onboard, we’ll handle all the logistics.” EXTEND PERFORMANCE will select one brand per product category to join the innovative Technician.Academy.
Vetting this program is ASE Master Technician, Richard Young, a pro with 30-plus years of experience. Young is known industry-wide for his expertise in service/repair, groundbreaking training, content development for aftermarket professionals, and brand promotion. The hundreds of online training videos he’s created and hosted have been seen by more than 5,000,000 viewers. Young is firm in his belief that quality training benefits the entire aftermarket industry. He states, “I do not understand how a manufacturer or distributor can complain about improperly installed or misdiagnosed product returns when they don’t offer any training to the installer.” He adds, “True technicians enjoy the challenge of repairing the vehicle that no one else can, and continued education helps accomplish that goal.” EXTEND PERFORMANCE will select one brand per product category to join the innovative Technician.Academy. Product distributors are also invited to be a part of Technician.Academy. For information, and the opportunity to complete a Request For Information (RFI), automotive aftermarket candidates may visit Technician.Academy. Those who complete the RFI will be contacted.
Collins notes that, “Today’s technician is a member of the most tech-savvy generation in history. Interestingly, the millennial technician is also extremely brand loyal. However, that loyalty must be earned. One of the most important ways Technician.Academy will procure respect for the brands and product distributors represented in each category is through specific, branded, pro-to-pro, online training provided by seasoned technicians with real-life experience in the auto bay.” In addition to the online video training available 24/7, Technician.Academy will also offer how-to sessions in-shop, plus in-class instruction at select institutions, as well as the creation and distribution of professional-level content.
Collins and his team are familiar with research that supports the need for Technician.Academy. According to an industry survey, over 36% of millennial technicians report a lack of access to the training “they need,” while 51% of the same demographic say there’s a void in the area of “quality” training. Collins concludes, “Technician.Academy will engage and inform automotive technicians in ways that help them on the job—including reducing comebacks. In return, they’ll equate partnering brands and product distributors with quality and reliability.”
