Veterans bear a background examine and an automotive technical aptitude check on which they need to rating 80 p.c or above to be thought-about.
“In order to get into this training, they have to have the technical aptitude,” mentioned Natae Rayner, director of Kia University, the automaker’s coaching program.
“They have to have had some sort of training background and experience in aviation, big fleets — anything that works on high-end electrical. Then they have to pass an extensive test that we have created.”
Those who move get an interview with a dealership of their selection. More than 60 Kia dealerships nationwide have signed up for this system thus far.
Terry Doyle, regional fixed-operations director for Asbury Automotive Group, has two dealerships which are registered to be part of this system.
“We’ve had an initial consultation over how many technicians we need, what skill level we want and so on,” he mentioned. “I always like to hire two at a time, especially with a program like this. There tends to be some camaraderie between them.”
Doyle additionally likes that candidates are given a strong automotive technical aptitude check. “Sometimes people have a higher opinion of their skills than they actually possess,” he mentioned.
But the necessity for technicians is so dire that he’s not so choosy, he added.
“Mindset and communication skills are at the top of my list,” Doyle mentioned. “Hey, if they fixed copy machines and did a good job, we would consider them at this point.”
A employed veteran candidate spends 90 days at a dealership paired with a mentor studying particular duties, takes web-based coaching after which begins mild restore work.
After 90 days, in-depth coaching begins at a Kia University facility in both Chicago or Seattle, with a 3rd website deliberate for Atlanta.
Source: www.autonews.com
