4 Reasons to Fund Ongoing Collision Repair Training

Like most businesses, expenses at body shops need to be justified. There’s generally not an extra pool of money ready to put toward nice-to-haves, so every expenditure must make good business sense. How does continuing collision repair training rate on the scale of wants vs. needs? Here are four reasons it’s a necessity – and a good investment.

1. Safety

When you’re in the business of working on vehicles, safety is always a concern – both for the techs who work on the cars or trucks and the people who drive them. Well-trained techs are safer. They have a deeper understanding of the vehicles they work on, which means they know how to:

• Find hidden damage that could be a danger
• Work with new and different materials
• Correctly perform repairs, so vehicles are safe to drive once back on the road

Ongoing training also serves as a regular reminder regarding standard safety rules techs probably know but might be tempted to overlook.

2. Staying up-to-date

Between the move toward more efficient vehicles and technological advances, there’s plenty to keep up with in the world of vehicle manufacturers: I-CAR CEO John Van Alstyne estimates there are at least 75 major vehicle changes a year. That’s a lot to track. When you invest in training for your technicians, the burden of staying on top of all these changes is off your shoulders.

For example, the instructors at Chief University make a point of staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and shifts in the industry, and the ChiefU courses are updated frequently. In fact, OEM’s often consult our collision experts at Chief for insights into how manufacturing updates might affect the collision industry. Tap into that knowledge by signing up for classes.

3. Efficiency

Ongoing education makes sense for the bottom line. When techs are well-trained, they understand how to make repairs quickly and correctly. On top of that, if they know what they’re doing, there’s a much lower chance of making a mistake. That means a lower risk of having to redo a repair, which is good news for customers and your shop.

There’s another way training helps the bottom line, too. When you offer your techs top-notch training, you know you can guarantee quality repairs that are worth a higher rate. When you offer the best repairs, you can charge a fair price for them. 

4. Employee Retention

When you run a company that invests in its employees, they’ll take note. The best employees want to work at the best companies, and they crave the sense of advancement that comes with continuing education. They’ll be more likely to stick around when they know you’re committed to their future and the future of the shop. Plus, if you have a pay structure that rewards technicians for working faster, they’ll really appreciate training that can help them do that. It’s a win for everybody.

Continuing collision repair training will help your techs perform the best repairs possible. When they do great work, they’ll feel satisfied – and your customers will too.

Track your training with our free Chief University checklist.