Finding skilled technicians and service advisors remains a major fixed ops challenge. So, one dealer group is training its own. On today’s edition of CBT Live, Bill Demaree, Corporate Director of Fixed Operations at Tom Wood Auto, joins us to share an update on Tom Wood University and a new standalone school set to open this month. The group has teamed up with Indiana Wesleyan University to build a bachelor’s degree in automotive technology.
During today’s discussion, Demaree noted that Tom Wood University graduated its first class last year and now has 33 students, with a waiting list. He expects enrollment to reach 50 to 60 students next year. Additionally, he notes that the program began by training technicians and now it also prepares high school juniors and seniors to become service advisors.
While Indiana has certified the program as a business class, the first three to four students will begin next semester. Students are selected through personality profile tests and interviews at local high schools. Demaree confirmed that Nissan donated the new school’s first vehicle, while handbooks for service advisors and service managers support the training. Demaree developed the advisor handbook from a book he wrote about 25 years ago; all 18 chapters remain relevant. Manager candidates can also follow a 12-month development plans that include NCM training, a leadership workshop and visits to other stores.
Learn more about Tom Wood University and its programs on the university’s website.
