The ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC) has released the results of its 2026 Training Benchmarks survey which provides insights into technician training needs, industry trends and workforce development priorities across the automotive, truck and collision repair sectors.
This year’s survey generated a significant increase in participation, with responses up by approximately 65 percent compared to 2025, reflecting stronger engagement from technicians, instructors and industry stakeholders nationwide.
The expanded response pool reinforces the survey’s role as a key benchmark for understanding how training delivery, accessibility and content needs continue to evolve. Findings from the 2026 survey show that technicians remain focused on practical, career-relevant education, with electrical/electronic systems, hybrid/EV systems, ADAS and advanced engine performance ranking among the most requested training topics, according to a statement from ATMC. The survey also highlights ongoing challenges in training accessibility, including unavailable course topics, quality concerns, scheduling conflicts and training costs, according to the ATMC.
A major takeaway from the 2026 data is the continued demand for instructor-led learning environments that prioritize hands-on application. Technicians indicated a strong preference for instructor-led classroom sessions paired with workshop lab time, demonstrating that practical experience remains critical for skills development and confidence building in increasingly complex vehicle systems.
How much time are technicians spending being trained in a year? Of those responding, 18% said they received more than 56 hours of training. 15.7% said one to eight hours; 13.1% said nine to 16 hours; 13% said 17-24 hours; 12% said 25-32 hours; 12% said 33-40 hours; 5.4% said 41-48 hours; and four percent said 49 to 56 hours.
In specific, the survey asked, “Do you have access to the training you need?” This year’s survey found 69% of respondents said they do. That’s up from 58.37$ in 2025 and 58.93% in 2024.
When broken out by the type of workplace respondents are in, 72% of original equipment technicians said they have access to the training they need. That compares to 55% of aftermarket and independent technicians, and 49% of fleet techs.
The top reasons for a lack of training were:
- 53% said right types of training not available
- 38% said quality training not available
- 29% said they cannot take time off
- 22% said it costs too much
- 17% said they would have to travel too far
What kind of training do technicians want?
Automotive technicians responses:
- 63% said hybrif and EV systems
- 60% said electrical/electronics
- 43% said advanced engine performance
- 43% said ADAS
- 39% said sutomatich transmissions
- 26% said engine performanc
Truck technicians responses included:
- 64% said electrical/electronics
- 49% said automatic transmissions
- 47% said engines
- 44% said advanced engine performance
- 39% said hybrid/EV
- 36Z% said ADAs
“Year after year, this survey helps us better understand what technicians truly need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing automotive landscape,” said Matt Shepanek, president of ATMC. “The growth in participation this year is a strong signal that our industry is invested in shaping better training opportunities and that technicians continue to value instructor-led education with meaningful hands-on workshop experience that directly translates to real-world repair environments.”
For more information or to view a copy of the ATMC survey results, click here.
