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:

• Thanks to Mike Davidson, Pete McNeil, and Jake Sorenson for their contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
• Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
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• Find every podcast episode HERE.
• Every episode is segmented by Series HERE.
• Key Word Search HERE.
• Link to other apprentice podcasts:
• RR 335 Build Your Own Apprentice Program – Dwayne Myers
• RR 482 IGONC Apprentice Program. Three Students Speak.
• FTR 064 – Mike Davidson. Find Your Apprentices
• RR 383 – AAPEXedu 2018 – Road to Great Technicians – Roundtable
• THA 087 – Automotive Career’s Start in High School and in the Home
• FTR 007 – Matt Fanslow – Integrate the Malleable Young Apprentice Into Your Shop
• RR 353 – Kyle Holt – S/P2 – Helping Entry Level Technicians Enter and Stay in the Industry

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