Advance Auto Parts, Inc., a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider that serves both professional installer and do-it-yourself customers, is rolling out new courses, leveraging emerging technologies and adding instructors to expand the company’s automotive training programs across North America.
Developing richer training offerings is a key area of focus for the company, which leverages professional training programs across North America through the Advance Professional, WORLDPAC, Carquest Auto Parts and Autopart International brands. More than 80 instructors now lead Advance’s regional and destination training events offered by Carquest Technical Institute (CTI) and Worldpac Training Institute (WTI). Developed with the professional customers’ needs in mind, each course available from Advance helps independent shop owners, service writers and automotive technicians stay up-to-date with the latest vehicle technologies and business strategies.
Advance has also developed robust online training solutions for automotive professionals, including more than 150 video courses – featuring over 500 hours of training content – available on-demand for subscribers to MotoSKILL Shop Tech Training.
“Training is critical to the success of our industry,” said Bob Cushing, Executive Vice President, Professional at Advance. “Advance is deeply invested in providing meaningful programs that help individuals enter, grow and advance through careers in the automotive industry. Today, through Carquest Technical Institute, Worldpac Training Institute, our online programs and the exploration of new technology and teaching methods, Advance is offering the most comprehensive, specialized training available to the aftermarket.”
Advance is cross-leveraging the expertise and offerings of Carquest Technical Institute and Worldpac Training Institute to build customized solutions for partners at independent repair facilities, national and regional chains, dealerships and more: for example, a shop that regularly has its technicians attend regional CTI courses may see a special need for technical training on late model import applications – an established strength at WTI – that Advance can adapt and offer to serve the shop’s specific needs. Existing CTI and WTI training partners also have the opportunity to access more archived video training resources than ever before. And in the rare case a shop or group requires a training course that doesn’t yet exist, Advance can design and test new curriculum at a 9,000-square-foot R+D Center that opened in Raleigh, N.C. in 2015.
Carquest Technical Institute is available in 250 training regions across the United States and Canada, with an established group of trainers – averaging more than 20 years of automotive experience – that lead courses designed to strengthen the skills needed to efficiently operate an automotive repair business, as well as diagnose and service vehicles. CTI offers a wide variety of training solutions, ranging from weeklong onboarding programs for new technicians to service sales education and specialized master tech training. Online training resources available from CTI include ASE test prep courses, practical application simulations and hours of interactive and video-based courses hosted on CTIonline.com. Recognized throughout North America for expertise in domestic and import make training, CTI is introducing four new courses in 2017: Ford – EcoBoost Platforms Operation and Diagnosis; Scan Tool Academy, which explores the functionality of modern scan tools and how to apply scan tool data most effectively in the repair process; S/P2 Safety and Pollution, to help repair facilities understand and meet new OSHA certification standards; and Advanced Technology Vehicles – Diagnosing Hybrid Motors and Inverters.
Worldpac Training Institute specializes in training courses for independent repair facilities that do the majority of their work on import vehicles. WTI classes assist owners and technicians in building and maintaining relationships with customers, growing their business and servicing and repairing the increasingly complex systems present on vehicles. Through unique partnerships with OE manufacturers, WTI is able to offer training courses on a ‘first-to-market’ basis for late model import applications. New 2017 classes from WTI are currently available specific to AC Delco, Motorcraft, business management, as well as for BMW, Honda, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volvo, Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. WTI hosts a biennial Supplier & Training Expo; registration for STX 2018, which will feature more than 180 technical and business classes (May 3-6, 2018 at the Gaylord Texan Resort)– is now open. For more information, visit worldpac.com/training.
MotoSKILL, a Web-based, on-demand training program from Advance, offers video training to grow and test service technicians’ understanding of basic automotive systems, prepare technicians for ASE certification tests, provide advanced diagnostics training, and develop management experience and best practices for shop owners. New online courses from MotoSKILL this year include The Power of the Phone, exploring techniques for effectively engaging and converting customers over the phone; Strange But True – Diagnostic Case Studies with Ron Bilyeu, and a to-be-named introductory course covering new refrigerants.
To learn more about Carquest Technical Institute, Worldpac Training Institute, MotoSKILL Shop Tech Training or customized automotive training solutions available from Advance Auto Parts, contact your local Advance, Carquest, WORLDPAC or Autopart International delivery store.
