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How to Implement Your Own Apprentice Program [RR 605]


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Pete McNeil is a second-generation family-owned business that started out as a Volkswagen specialist. They quickly recognized their potential for all makes and models and expanded their service offerings. During this time, they joined the NAPA AutoCare program, expanded their footprint in the Salt Lake valley and became a pillar in the automotive repair industry.

In 2018 alone, McNeil’s expanded their Sandy location to 16 bays to help accommodate their growing business, training center and partnership with local schools for the continued growth of their apprenticeship program. During this time McNeil’s also took advantage of the Interior ProImage program and remodeled their entire showroom! This included new counters for their 4 Service Advisors, new epoxy flooring, signage, and upgraded comfortable furniture and fixtures! This is truly a place where their customers can relax while having their vehicle repaired.

In addition, Pete opened a 2nd location in Riverton, Utah in May of 2019. Pete is very involved in the community both locally and abroad He is active in the local Church Youth Conference, Angel Hands, which assists people with disabilities.

Very active in youth soccer with contributions and cars washed to raise money for Sparta-United. He has donated time and resources to “Sandy Pride” which helps residents clean up and beautify the city. Look for Pete’s other episode HERE.

Jake Sorensen is the 2019 NAPA ASE Technician of the Year and 2019 Ratchet + Wrench All Star technician of the year. He is an ASE Master technician with L1,2 and 3 advanced level certifications. He is the shop manager and diagnostic technician at McNeil’s Auto Care in Sandy, UT where he helped develop an apprenticeship program that is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. This program has graduated several high performing automotive technicians and was used by NAPA Auto Care as a template for their automotive apprenticeship program. Jake also developed the curriculum for an automotive course that he teaches at an adult education high school. Look for Jake’s other episode HERE.

Mike Davidson is from Parkway Automotive in Little Rock, Arkansas, been in the industry for more than 30 years and a business owner for over 18. Mike is an AMI graduate, an ASE Master Technician, he belongs and contributes to Elite Worldwide and was recognized as the Arkansas NAPA/ASE tech of the year seven years in a row. He’s been doing radio and TV over the last fifteen years talking ‘service’ in Little Rock. Mike helped start the Little Rock chapter of ASA and is currently an officer. Look for Mike’s other episode HERE.

Key Talking Points:

  • Fact of life: You will either sell your shop or close your shopAn apprentice plan with a culture of learning will help you when selling your shop because you have a culture of learning
  • An apprentice program adds value to your shop especially a Department of Labor approved plan 
  • There is no easy button to put a strong apprentice program into playYou must invest time, energy, and money
  • End result is well worth it
  • The Pandemic has brought changes to education and lab work
  • Having your own apprentice program puts the lab right inside your shop
  • Apprenticeships will seed your bench as the need for quality technician arises because the recruitment and competition for technicians rises
  • Mike Davidson created an apprentice program 10 years ago and created a company to support it. His program of DOL approved.
  • Pete McNeil and Jake Sorenson created their own apprentice program and it was picked up by NAPA nationally.
  • Motivating the new generation of technicians through an apprentice program should include incentives along the way. Rewards for the learning and the time invested. 
  • The rewards are great when you pour your heart into growing talent
  • Mike, Pete, and Jake have learned a lot
  • 75% of auto repair happens at the independents
  • The need for technicians has never been greater
  • There have been many shops that closed including dealers. The number of bays has reduced yet there is a large demand for technicians
  • Shops are becoming ruthless at finding techs which is the reason to grow your own with an apprentice program
  • There is a cost to do an apprentice program
  • Stat: One technician should be able to produce about $30,000 per month out of a bay
  • Mike goes through the math and how you can get your suppliers involved in your apprentice program
  • Autocare:: 81 Million auto’s on the road 16 years and older (2021) and this number continues to grow
  • A technical college with four semesters equals 281 eight hour days. ASE requires 508 eight hour days on the job for a single certification can he issuesWith an apprentice program at the end of two years, you’ll have your time and your ASE certifications
  • When sitting down with an apprentice and/or their family, you have to show a road map and viability for a job and certifications, a clear path
  • The apprentice18 years of age
  • High school or GED
  • Have a valid driver's license 
  • Must submit to illegal use of drug test under the DOL program
  • Complete an application
  • Agree to follow guidelines
  • They must fit your culture
  • Look for the right skill sets and you will teach them attitude and fitting into your culture
  • Competency levels can bring different stages of compensation
  • Picking the right mentor is very criticalIt may not be the longest-tenured technician
  • Provides ‘giving back’ and a sense of belonging
  • Someone willing to change a life 
  • At least 5 years experience in the field
  • At your shop for at least a year
  • Good communication skills
  • They must care about other people  
  • They will teach how you want cars repaired and how to diagnose
  • Look at the pay program together and the ROI
  • You can build a smart program with an open mind and communication
  • The mentor should not feel like they are taking a step backward
  •  The average time it takes to replace an employee is 42 days. It is costly
  • An apprentice program will create a culture of learningThe other staff members will elevate themselves 
  • There are technical schools and many know about them, HOWEVER, not many know that there are apprentice programs.We must aggressively promote and create apprentice programs.
  • A great place to find apprentices is the home school industry.The parents would know if their student is mechanical.
  • Connect with them on Facebook
  • There is a cost and Mike has complete spreadsheets to show you how to justify the program.
  •  You keep a spreadsheet on cost per hour to apply to your state for grants.Every state has a different amount of money available.
  • You must have a cost per hour to show them
  • Grants are reimbursement. They pay you behind not upfront
  • This is why the mentor cost per hour is critical
  • All grant programs will ask for cost per hour which is why you need a spreadsheet to produce the number
  • Share the cost of the mentor and apprentice with them to let them see your investment and your recovery. 
  • Insutryessentials.netThe website has resources for mentors and apprentices.
  • Agreements
  • Cost per hour spreadsheets 
  • You can run ads for apprentices  Source: nextdoor.com
  • Home school community
  • There are people who want to get involved in our industry
  • Respect the wage and hour laws of your state

Link to Powerpoint used in this presentation: HERE

Link to Mike Davidson's Industry Essentials. Info on apprentice program: HERE

Email Mike Davidson HERE

Resources:

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As a member of the NAPA family, AutoCare Center owners can take advantage of the NAPA National Health Program from the NAPA Insurance Center. This “NAPA only” program gives you and your employees access to national “large group” rates on medical insurance with premiums discounted up to 30 percent. These rates are based on the collective purchasing potential of 22,500 NAPA locations including both NAPA AUTO PARTS stores and NAPA AutoCare Centers.

The NAPA Insurance Center can help you with a variety of other insurance benefits too. For more information about The NAPA National Health Benefits program as well as all of the insurance benefits available to your AutoCare Center and your employees, visit the NAPA Benefits Center, at www.napabenefitscenter.com or call the NAPA Benefits Center at 844-627-2123.

Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         3 comments
      Got your attention? Good. The truth is, there is no such thing as the perfect technician pay plan. There are countless ways to create any pay plan. I’ve heard all the claims and opinions, and to be honest, it’s getting a little frustrating. Claims that an hourly paid pay plan cannot motivate. That flat rate is the only way to truly get the most production from your technicians. And then there’s the hybrid performance-based pay plan that many claim is the best.
      At a recent industry event, a shop owner from the Midwest boasted about his flat-rate techs and insisted that this pay plan should be adopted by all shops across the country. When I informed him that in states like New York, you cannot pay flat-rate, he was shocked. “Then how do you motivate your techs” he asked me.
      I remember the day in 1986 when I hired the best technician who ever worked for me in my 41 years as an automotive shop owner. We’ll call him Hal. When Hal reviewed my pay plan for him, and the incentive bonus document, he stared at it for a minute, looked up, and said, “Joe, this looks good, but here’s what I want.” He then wrote on top of the document the weekly salary he wanted. It was a BIG number. He went on to say, “Joe, I need to take home a certain amount of money. I have a home, a wife, two kids, and my Harly Davidson. I will work hard and produce for you. I don’t need an incentive bonus to do my work.” And he did, for the next 30 years, until the day he retired.
      Everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, here’s mine. Money is a motivator, but not the only motivator, and not the best motivator either. We have all heard this scenario, “She quit ABC Auto Center, to get a job at XYZ Auto Repair, and she’s making less money now at XYZ!” We all know that people don’t leave companies, they leave the people they work for or work with.
      With all this said, I do believe that an incentive-based pay plan can work. However, I also believe that a technician must be paid a very good base wage that is commensurate with their ability, experience, and certifications. I also believe that in addition to money, there needs to be a great benefits package. But the icing on the cake in any pay plan is the culture, mission, and vision of the company, which takes strong leadership. And let’s not forget that motivation also comes from praise, recognition, respect, and when technicians know that their work matters.
      Rather than looking for that elusive perfect pay plan, sit down with your technician. Find out what motivates them. What their goals are. Why do they get out of bed in the morning? When you tie their goals with your goals, you will have one powerful pay plan.
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