One of the ways NHADA supports ASE-accredited automotive programs in New Hampshire is by providing instructors with 20 hours of required industry update training each year. This past Nov. 6-7, we held our annual training at Nashua Community College (NCC). High school automotive and collision instructors from across the state gathered for this two-day event, which included both classroom and hands-on training sessions.
This year, we adopted a new approach by including a broader range of automotive training sectors that are often overlooked but play a vital role in building a stronger workforce in New Hampshire.
NHADA Bronze partner Sullivan Tire®/Lift Works Corp. joined us to offer career path insights from the aftermarket perspective, covering roles such as parts, service advisors and the growing position of the “mobile technician.” This unique role requires not only a skilled technician but also someone with excellent customer service abilities, as they work on the road without the support of a service advisor. They showcased some of the cutting-edge technology used in their mobile service vans and gave us a glimpse into a day in the life of a mobile technician.
We were also joined by NHADA member Souhegan Valley Motorsports, who provided an in-depth look at the powersports industry. In addition to exploring numerous career opportunities in powersports, we had the chance to see firsthand the advanced technology being incorporated into new ATVs and side-by-sides.
NCC provided hands-on lab training, giving instructors a refresher course on various types of welding. Instructors had the opportunity to practice MIG, TIG and stick welding with guidance from one of NCC’s experienced instructors. With some friendly competition, NCC awarded prizes to the top three welders.
In response to instructors’ requests for more information on alternative career paths for their students, we were joined on day two by NHADA Bronze partner Brown and Brown Dealer Services, who offered an in-depth training session on the role of a service advisor. Handouts were provided, and the interactive lecture encouraged active participation from all the instructors in the room.
Ford Motor Company also joined us to provide updates on their high school automotive curriculum (ACE) and shared exciting news about their upcoming automotive competition.
Lastly, we reserved some time for David Lilly, the cluster chair for Transportation, to lead discussions on topics such as curriculum development, transportation competencies and SkillsUSA. This session was invaluable as it helped unify our automotive training programs across the state and elevated the quality of education provided to our students.
All in all, it was a fantastic two days. The instructors left with valuable new knowledge, a chance to refine older skills and meaningful connections with colleagues from around the state. The next training will be held this April, and we are constantly looking to bring in fresh content. If you or someone you know might be interested in providing industry training to our instructors, please reach out to me at amemmolo@nhada.com or (603) 224-2369.
