Tag: Newsletter 1st Article

Has work become less inspiring than it used to be? Are you getting the repairs made, but maybe just going through the motions with the rest of your time at work?

Well, a new year comes with the opportunity to recapture some of the things that inspired you in the past. Maybe you just need to polish up a few things that will make you a more valuable tech in 2026. And, as we all know, being more valuable, going the extra mile, can get you noticed and rewarded when it comes time for raises, bonuses and promotions.

Now is a good time to take stock and make some professional adjustments. Here are a five key areas you may wish to focus on in the year ahead:

1. Skills Development

• Are all of your certifications up to date?: Obtain relevant certifications (like ASE and those from OEMs) to validate your expertise.
• Have you been learning continuously? : Stay updated on the latest technology and repair techniques. Ask if your employer offers educational opportunities in-house or if they will pay for you to take a class elsewhere.
• Have you specialized?: Consider specializing in a particular area of mechanical expertise, such as emissions systems or electrical diagnostics.
• Practice: If there’s a process you’re unfamiliar with, check out online resources or ask a co-worker for tips on how to master it.
• Mentorship: Especially if you’re new to the company, learn from more experienced technicians to gain insights and tips. If you’re and old hand, reach out to new techs who could benefit from your expertise.

2. Tools and Technology

• Familiarity With Tools: Ensure you’re skilled with the latest diagnostic tools and equipment. It may take some spending on your part, but think of it as an investment in your future earning power.
• Software Skills: Learn to use or brush up on software for diagnostics and repair tracking. Software is always being updated, so be sure you have the latest version and kn ow how to use it properly.

3. Communication Skills

• Team Collaboration: Be sure you work effectively with other technicians and other departments.
• Customer Interaction: Practice clear communication with customers regarding repairs and maintenance. Know how to explain technical issues in non-technical, easily understood ways.

4. Professionalism

• Positive Attitude: Double-check to be sure you maintain a positive and proactive mindset, even in challenging situations or with challenging people.
• Workplace Conduct: Follow safety rules and maintain a clean and organized work station. If you borrow a tool, return it when you are done with it.
• Attention to Detail: Double-check your work to ensure quality and safety.

5. Feedback and Improvement

• Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from supervisors and peers to identify areas for improvement.
• Self-Reflection: Take time to evaluate your own performance, decide what you wish to change or improve, and then set goals for growth.

By focusing on these areas in the new year ahead, you can enhance your value as a technician and contribute more effectively to your team and organization.

The president of the leading organization overseeing professional technician testing and certification is urging the industry to get involved with efforts ensure its accreditation and certification are “clearly and formally recognized as essential components of federally funded workforce development in the transportation sector.”

In fact, Dave Johnson, president and CEO of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), says in his letter “the future of our industry depends on it.”

In a spirited letter to the industry made public today, Johnson responded to an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in conjunction with a government study setting priorities for the future of skilled trade jobs and the federal funds to support them.

Johnson’s letter says:

The future of workforce development in America is being reshaped, and we need to be at the table.

In response to the Trump Administration’s executive order focused on “High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” the Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education recently released a comprehensive national strategy. This strategy is not just a roadmap, it is a signal of where federal policy, priorities, and funding are headed.

At the heart of this strategy are principles that emphasize accountability, measurable outcomes, industry-driven standards, and credentials that hold true value in the labor market. These are principles ASE has upheld for decades.

The strategy’s direction aligns powerfully with what ASE already provides:

• ASE Education Foundation’s Program Accreditation ensures measurable accountability and rigorous quality standards for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
• ASE service professional certifications are the recognized, industry-developed credentials that employers rely on, and workers strive to earn. They carry proven value for individuals and the businesses that hire them.

To put it simply, ASE is the standard the federal government is asking for, right now.

The strategy document makes clear that taxpayer dollars will increasingly be directed toward education and training programs that:

• Are industry-driven and aligned with employer needs
• Issue credentials that matter in the real world
• Deliver measurable results, linking public investment to outcomes and workforce impact

This is a pivotal moment. I believe we have a short window to ensure that ASE Accreditation and Certification are clearly and formally recognized as essential components of federally funded workforce development in the transportation sector.

This matters because the policy decisions made in Washington will dictate how grants and other resources are allocated to community colleges and technical schools across the country. If ASE standards are embedded in this policy, it ensures:

• Schools that receive funding are truly preparing students for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs
• Instructors are teaching current, industry-relevant material
• Students are graduating with credentials that employers value, leading to real, high-wage careers

This is not about lobbying for narrow interests. It is about securing a future where our entire industry benefits from smart policy that rewards proven excellence and prepares a pipeline of talented, qualified technicians. We cannot afford to have fragmented efforts where individual companies or associations each push for their own agendas. That risks a patchwork of standards that weakens our industry’s credibility.

Rallying behind ASE as the standard gives us collective influence and a seat at the table when policies are being written. We will continue engaging with policymakers, advocating for:

• ASE Education Foundation’s Program Accreditation as the benchmark for accountability in CTE programs
• ASE Certifications as the credential standard recognized and rewarded by federal policy

I do not pretend to know every outcome of engaging in this process. But I do know this, the stakes are too high for us to sit on the sidelines. We have the chance to shape the direction of workforce development in our industry for decades to come. That means better schools, better-trained students, and a stronger, more resilient transportation service workforce.

Please join us in this effort, get involved, and support ASE and the ASE Education Foundation. The future of our industry depends on it.