Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care

Chris Duffy, Production and Training Manager at AutoStream Car Care, to discuss the company's commitment to training and developing their technicians across nine Maryland locations. Duffy highlights the challenges of technician reluctance towards training and the strategies to encourage participation while respecting personal commitments. The conversation also covers the use of training platforms, the significance of certifications, and the fostering of a continuous learning culture within the automotive industry.

Chris Duffy, Production and Training Manager, AutoStream Car Care Center, 9 locations, Maryland.

Show Notes

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Becoming a Trainer (00:01:40) Chris Duffy discusses his transition to becoming a trainer within the company and the importance of internal training.
Internal Training and Culture (00:03:08) The importance of internal training and the company's culture of teamwork and growth are discussed.
Assessment and Targeted Training (00:08:06) The use of assessments to identify specific training needs for technicians and the benefits of targeted training are highlighted.
Building Training Resumes (00:12:24) The importance of building training resumes for technicians and incorporating it into the company's training tools is discussed.
External Training Resources (00:14:59) The utilization of external trainers and localized training programs, including partnerships with organizations like NAPA, is highlighted.
The importance of being in the shop (00:17:36) Carm and Chris discuss the significance of being present in the shop to understand the needs of the staff.
Culture of learning (00:18:42) They talk about the importance of fostering a culture of learning and addressing the reasons why employees may resist training.
Balancing work and training (00:19:30) The discussion centers on finding ways to accommodate employees' personal commitments while ensuring they receive necessary training.
Utilizing training resources (00:23:09) Chris explains how he utilizes training resources and documentation to support internal training efforts.
Encouraging knowledge sharing (00:25:20) The conversation revolves around encouraging employees to share valuable information and techniques with the team.
Gamification and competition (00:30:12) The potential for gamification in training assessments and the friendly competition it can create among employees is explored.
Career pathing and retention (00:32:32) Chris explains the approach to career pathing and retention, focusing on tailored training and mentorship for employees seeking to advance their skills.
The importance of certifications (00:35:08) Discussion on the significance of certifications and the promotion of certified technicians within the company.
Culture of learning at AutoStream (00:36:28) Emphasizing the culture of learning and the pride in displaying certifications on the walls of the company.
Leadership in building a training culture (00:36:53) Acknowledgment of the leadership role in developing a strong training culture and the potential impact on any size of shop.

Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Auto Care

Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting