Technician Training Program Celebrates 25 Years

DETROIT - The General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program (GM ASEP) celebrates its 25th anniversary this fall. In 1979, GM saw a growing need in dealership service departments for qualified service technicians. As a result, the Automotive Service Educational Program was created, bringing approximately 700 technicians into the dealership pipeline each year, and nearly 14,000 since the program's inception.

"If not for the efforts of the GM ASEP initiative, dealerships around the country would face a steep challenge to find qualified technicians needed to fix today's automobiles," says Bob Slovey, GM's National ASEP/AYES Manager.

GM ASEP offers training for technically inclined students who wish to pursue a career in servicing and maintaining GM vehicles. The program is a joint effort between GM, GM dealers, and selected colleges across the United States and Canada. GM ASEP incorporates advanced automotive technical and body training with a strong academic foundation of math, reading, and electronics, in both analytical and technical skills. Students earn an Associate Degree while working and learning on the job, resulting in a solid education combined with invaluable work experience.

GM ASEP also plays an integral role in changing the perception of service technicians. The automotive repair industry is a desirable career path with many rewards as evidenced by the growing market demand for technicians, due in part to the increase in technology in today's vehicles.

Potential students begin by finding a dealership sponsor. Then, alternating between working at the dealership and attending classes, students gain technical skills and knowledge.

GM dealerships arguably benefit greatly from the ASEP program. The program generates a pool of qualified GM technicians who have the experience and know-how to make an immediate contribution to the dealership after graduation from the program.

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) closely monitors the needs and successes of the dealership community, and service technician population remains high on their list of priorities. NADA chairman Charley Smith appeared as the keynote speaker at the International Association for GM ASEP Conference with all GM ASEP/BSEP schools in November, commemorating the 25th anniversary of ASEP.

"The need for qualified auto technicians is one of the most serious issues facing dealerships today," Smith says. "GM ASEP is providing a vital means for meeting that challenge."

During the early stages of the GM ASEP program, the challenge was to find students who desired to be service technicians. While that challenge remains, it has evolved into efforts to find new avenues for targeting potential students. GM ASEP began working with several organizations to share ideas and utilize mutual resources, including organizations such as SkillsUSA, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Snap-On Tools, and Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES).

A forerunner of similar and complementary programs, GM ASEP today continues to market the benefits of the high-end automotive technology repair sector.

IAGMASEP is the International Association of General Motors Automotive Service Educational Programs. It holds its annual conference where participating GM ASEP schools gather for technical and administrative updates. This year's theme, "Strive in '05" - motivates everyone to strive to improve as the program moves forward.

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, employs about 325,000 people globally. Founded in 1908, GM has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM today has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly 8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15 percent of the global vehicle market.

Goodwrench is the service brand for GM vehicles. With dealerships located nationwide, the GM Goodwrench network is one of the largest automotive service chains in the industry. GM Goodwrench technicians receive specialized training from General Motors to provide expert care for GM cars and trucks. Genuine GM replacement parts are manufactured to the exact specifications of the GM vehicle. For more information, visit the GM Goodwrench web site at www.goodwrench.com.