[Podcast] RR 371: Technician Round Table at ASTE – Griffin-Reynolds-Steele

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Pictured above, Robert Griffin, Mike Reynolds and Shane Steele (left to right)

Mike Reynolds is the owner of Mobile Automotive Service Solutions in Charleston, SC as well as an automotive technology instructor at Trident Technical College.

As a diagnostic specialist, he holds certifications as an ASE Master Technician (A1—A9, X1), and is an Advanced Level Specialist in engine performance (L1), and Hybrid/Electric vehicles (L3).

You can find his technical articles published in MotorAge magazine as well as case studies he has written featured in many aftermarket training seminars.

Attending an average of 45 training hours per year helped him to become proficient in vehicle diagnostics on American and Asian vehicle lines.

Shane Steele is a Chrysler Certified automotive technician at Hoover Dodge located in Summerville, South Carolina. Shane is twenty-four years old and has worked for Chrysler for four years. Along with his Chrysler certifications, Shane has also received his certificate in Automotive Technology from Trident Technical College. Prior to becoming an automotive technician Shane served in the U.S. Army National Guard and served one tour of duty in Afghanistan from 2013-2014. He completed his military contract in December of 2017. Shane plans to use his military experience, shop skills, and knowledge to open his own automotive business in the near future and help contribute to the aftermarket auto industry.

Robert Griffin is the shop owner and technician at Griffin Transmission in North Charleston, SC. He is certified in transmission repair and diagnostic from the local community college (Trident tech) where he also instructs night classes when needed.

At the shop, Robert is responsible for managing customers, cars, and employees. He is lead transmission diagnostician, and former lead transmission builder, working on training fellow technicians in the shop to be able to properly diagnose transmission and driveline issues.

Robert has a strong commitment to technician training. Incentivizing his technicians to seek training and continuing education. His shop attends several different training groups each year.

Key Talking Points

• Aftermarket training
  • Different ways to diagnose problems, scope training
• Tech shortage
  • Start at the bottom and can be difficult to see long-term future
  • Dealerships often discourage new techs from joining and making a career in industry- feel threatened
  • Need to create a sense of pride in work- fun, challenging, certifications
• Tech shortage solutions
  • Shop owners need to see value in training for techs- instead of calling mobile diagnostician could be training on staff techs  
  • Shop owner buying technician tools- tax write off for the owner, possible contract for the tech to own tools after so many years
• Tech retention
  • Paid training
  • Mistakes happen in a shop- how you handle it is what makes the difference. Be a team player.

Resources Mentioned:

• Thanks to Mike Reynolds, Robert Griffin and Shane Steele 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.
• Leave me an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one of them.

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This episode is brought to you by Federal-MogulMotorparts and Garage Gurus. With brands like Moog, Felpro, Wagner Brake, Champion, Sealed Power, FP Diesel and more, they’re the parts techs trust.  For serious technical training and support – online, onsite and on-demand – Garage Gurus is everything you need to know. Find out more at fmmotorparts.com  and fmgaragegurus.com

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