AOCA Education and Training
The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) understands the importance of education and training to the success of its members and their businesses. Education is the cornerstone of the AOCA and the association offers a broad range of educational opportunities. Whether you want to educate customers; train technicians, managers, and aspiring managers; or even update your own knowledge base, we have what you are looking for at AOCA.
CUSTOMERS
When you think of education and training, customers are usually not the first “students” that come to mind; but you are educating customers every day. From the first-time customers — on how to use your facility — to the regular customers, who want to put 20w-50 in their brand new truck because “That’s what I’ve always used.” (I’m pretty sure the expression “the customer is always right” didn’t come from the automotive service industry.) AOCA has the tools you need to keep your customers abreast of their rights and the importance of regular maintenance. They can always go to the Motorist Resources page at aoca.org. We also offer Street Smart cards, to place in your store, that cover reasons for servicing the different components of a vehicle and consumer rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
EMPLOYEES
The next facet of our education program is educating the people who are educating the customers. Your employees are the lifeblood of your business, so making sure they are properly trained is critical to your success. AOCA’s e-Learning program is a timely and cost-effective training tool available to everyone, with substantial discounts for AOCA members. The e-Learning course categories include: AOCA’s acclaimed Technician Academy, Safety and OSHA, Management Development, Sales, and PC Software Skills. All of our programs have been specifically designed for the fast-lube industry with input from industry leaders and automotive educators. The popular online Technician Academy is an engaging program that keeps employees attention with short segments, pictures, diagrams, and sounds. After all, the mind can only absorb what the butt can endure. Topics in the Technician Academy are customer service, safety, products, and services, along with the roles and responsibilities of the hood technician, lube technician, courtesy technician, and greeter/service writer. After completing the course, employees take a test and see the results immediately. Those who pass receive a certificate, ID card, and uniform patch that will let your customers know your employees are well trained and provide excellent customer service.
Another AOCA education tool that comes in handy for new hires — or even old hands on slow days — are videos/DVDs. AOCA currently offers two videos to educate employees on very important topics. Safety in the Lube Center communicates to employees the importance of safe work habits to protect themselves, fellow employees, and customers. Presenting Your Services is an excellent video to teach employees the value of educating customers about services that will help them keep their automobiles running safely and smoothly. Both videos are packed with information employees need to know.
MANAGEMENT
The AOCA’s Management Certification Course is the most comprehensive and well known of the courses we offer. It is two days of extensive instruction on how to operate a fast lube, taught by top trainers in the fast-lube industry. Owners, managers, assistant managers, and manager trainees learn current business strategies and practical applications for leadership, record keeping, shop safety, employee recruitment, hiring and training, and elements of marketing and advertising. A comprehensive training manual comes with each course registration, and certification is dependant on passing the final exam. This is the best management training in the fast-lube industry and it is offered in convenient regional locations throughout the United States and Canada, or by scheduling a private course for multi-store operators and groups of operators. The course has already been from Atlanta to Las Vegas and up to Vancouver this year. Two scheduled classes remain in 2011: the first in Dallas, TX, October 4-5 and, finally, in Chicago, IL, November 8-9.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Ongoing technological advances, increased computer usage, and complex automobile designs have made education beyond high school a highly desirable attribute for employment and advancement in the automotive industry. The AOCA Scholarship Program paves the way with a unique opportunity for fast-lube employees to pursue broader avenues of education for personal fulfillment and career advancement. Equally important, the automotive industry and its customers are gaining a more highly trained team of technicians. The hallmark of the AOCA Scholarship Program is its flexibility in addressing the educational needs of our members’ employees, who many times do not fit the traditional college-bound student model.
iFLEX
You can find all of these educational opportunities and resources in the same place at the same time, once a year. This convergence of knowledge and information is called the International Fast-Lube Expo presented by the Automotive Oil Change Association, or iFLEX for short. This year, the host city was the AOCA’s hometown of Dallas, TX. The event took place August 9-12. The educational sessions at iFLEX this year were track-based to make it easy for attendees to decide which sessions best fit their needs. The “Your Business” track included sessions on healthcare reform, new tax laws, and understanding financials. “Your Workforce” focused on employees — AOCA training, the effect happy employees have on your business, and preventing employee theft. “Your Marketing” addressed what women want, how to use social media, and who’s buying what these days. Finally, the “General” track included buying or selling a fast lube, a look at the future of the industry, an introduction to CPR training, and hot issues on The Hill. Back by popular demand for the 11th year was AOCA’s Owners Boot Camp, which is best described as a one-day, scaled-down, more-specific-to-owners version of the above-mentioned Management Certification Course.
Please visit us at www.aoca.org or call (800) 331-0329 to find out more about the education and training that AOCA has to offer, or to discuss how we can meet your educational needs.
Gordon Taylor is the communications manager for the Automotive Oil Change Association. For more information about the association, visit www.aoca.org.
