I recently Googled “brake training” and received 21,400,000 results.
While it took only 24/100 of a second to get that long list, I think it will take a few days or weeks to sort through it all and find the relevant information. When I refined my search terms to “brake system training,” I received a slightly more manageable list of 1,340,000 results.
Luckily for us all, there is a new online directory for aftermarket training and education called DRIVE.
DRIVE (Directory of Resources for Industry Valued Education) is a product of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and can be found at www.aftermarket.org/DRIVE.
What makes this website really useful is that it uses Google to search only the training and education information from more than 75 participating manufacturers, distributors, private training organizations, associations, technical schools and other organizations providing training and education to the aftermarket.
AAIA has reviewed all the material to make sure that only training and education information is listed and that no sales material has found its way in there. To give you an idea of how it works, when you go to this website and enter a search term like “catalytic converter,” it will provide you links to manufacturers’ and/or distributors’ website training pages.
So when you click on those links, you go to a different website but can easily return to DRIVE with a click of the back arrow.
When I searched for “brake system training” using DRIVE, I received 22 results that included all the big names in brakes that you would expect to be the authority on the subject. DRIVE also allows you to refine the list of results so you see just videos, tech tips, online courses, etc.
According to Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO, AAIA is encouraging all of its members to participate in the program and to also keep the information current. “Since the directory is in Google format, DRIVE’s content will be updated when the participating organizations update their company websites,” she said.
Every time we conduct research with shop owners and technicians, the number one need is always technical repair information, but we also find that one-third of shops are providing eight hours or less of training per year and 80% one week or less.
With all the advancements in vehicle technology, training and education is needed more than ever to keep customers satisfied and shops profitable.
