Worldpac Shares Predictions for Top Training Trends at Upcoming Conference

Expert trainers at Worldpac have shared in a recent press release that training focused on high-voltage and hybrid vehicles, along with broader business skills instruction, will be the most in-demand for automotive professionals in 2026.

During the 2026 Worldpac Supplier & Training Expo, Senior Director of Training at Worldpac, Rob Morrell, and the Worldpac Training Institute team will bring 300-plus in-person courses to Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, Maryland, from Aug. 19 to 23, 2026. These trends will directly shape the training curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities featured at STX 2026.

There are three trends that Morrell believes will steer conversations at this year's STX 2026 Expo:

• TREND No. 1: High-Voltage Vehicles Redefining the Technician Skill Set
  As electric and hybrid vehicles become more popular, technicians and shop owners need to become more knowledgeable about electric vehicle (EV) systems, battery technology, and high-voltage safety to avoid turning away customers or putting employees in unsafe conditions.
• TREND No. 2: Electronics in Vehicles Driving Diagnostic Complexity
  Technicians and shop owners need to educate themselves and remain vigilant about emerging technologies across all vehicles to understand how systems communicate, interpret diagnostic data, and solve problems that are no longer externally visible.
• TREND No. 3: Business Acumen Becoming a Competitive Advantage
  Shop owners need to invest in business skill set training that goes beyond the garage, focusing on leadership, financial management, marketing, and customer experience to operate more efficiently, retain talent, and build stronger, more sustainable businesses over time.

"At Worldpac, we are taking notice of how fast the industry is evolving—and with it, the expectations for technicians and shop owners," said Morell. "What we’re seeing now is a shift in learning that goes beyond the basic skills due to the advancements of technology in high-voltage vehicles. Shop owners who invest in stronger business practices will continue to remain competitive."