Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 9
Q: How many years have you been MECP certified?
A: 8
Q: How long did it take you to become a MECP certified Master Installation Technician?
A: 5
Q: How has becoming an MECP Master Installation Technician impacted your career?
A: Becoming a Master Installation Technician has had a great impact both on my own career, but the companies I’ve worked for as well. My abilities have increased exponentially since and the certification helps me demonstrate a level of expertise when representing the company – and that carries quite a bit of weight.
Q: What do you feel are the big challenges facing the industry?
A: The greatest challenge the industry faces is figuring out what consumers will want next. Swapping out a radio or set of speakers is becoming quite a task due to the level of integration required in newer vehicles. A trend of simply adding a portable music player to an existing system is being done, but wireless media synchronization and other things are waiting in the wings. Keeping up with the customer and maintaining profitability are our greatest challenges going forward.
Q: What do you feel are the big challenges technicians face while working in the install bay?
A: I think the challenges are pretty similar to what we have faced in the past – you try to put a product into a vehicle that was not necessarily designed to accept it. However, I feel the environment continues to change. Many installers are nervous when working on the newer vehicles with complicated networks/components. They are unsure of what impact removing components from, or adding products to, a vehicle may affect other systems in the car. Therefore, the greatest challenge the installation technicians face is trying to obtain as much information about an unknown system or vehicle and as quickly as possible to maintain the customer’s perception of high quality service.
Q: What are your comments about other installers who feel like the certification does not apply to them?
A: I would have to question their commitment to the industry, their professionalism, and their desire to be the best at what they do. Yes, it is absolutely possible to be a top-notch installer without pursuing certification, but the certification adds an identifiable aspect to your dedication when presenting yourself to customers and other employees. Anyone who wants to be the best at what they do should automatically want to exhaust every possible source of knowledge and training possible, and the MECP program should definitely be one of those sources.
Q: In what areas of your current position do you feel like you excel? What are your strengths or skill-sets?
A: I’m very detail oriented, which has helped me grow and shape technical data very accurately. I also require having a plan laid out for every project which has helped those around me understand and accomplish tasks more efficiently.
Q: As a Master Installation Technician, have you benefited financially in regard to salary, incentives or growth at your current employer?
A: I believe my salary and growth have been affected as employers have seen my dedication toward attaining goals and being the best. I can also say that MECP certification has been one of the many important criteria evaluated when we have hired new employees.
Q: As a result of your certification, do you feel you have job security or better job prospects?
A: I think those two things go hand-in-hand. If you always have job prospects, you always have job security. Clearly, attaining a high level of certification and representing yourself as one of the best in your field would move you up to the top of most lists when interviewing for a new job.
Q: Do you actively promote your Master Installation Technician Certification to your customers or retail audience?
A: Yes, nearly every form of communication sent out by our company includes some sort of reference to MECP. And, all of our technicians who handle vehicle technical support are MECP Master Installation Technician Certified. This is communicated during correspondence with our customer when they need technical support.
Q: If so, how do your customers perceive you and your certification?
A: It has been mentioned to us at trade shows that our customers feel comfortable contacting our team for help due to our certification level and that it makes a positive impression on the company.
Q: What is your favorite tool and why?
A: A portable oscilloscope. There are so many different tasks you can accomplish with this tool. It is essential to have one in every shop.
Q: What is the most challenging car that you’ve worked on and why? (Include year, make, model and why was it difficult?)
A: 2007 Mini Cooper S. I experience quite a few speed bumps with this vehicle. The radio display is part of the speedometer, the CD slot is at the top of the center stack, and the volume control is below that, making replacing the radio impossible without a complete dashboard rebuild. It also incorporates the MOST® network for the entertainment system. The keyless entry and starting system presents a huge challenge on how to keep a vehicle secure during remote start (e.g., if the key is kept inside the car, it could be driven away very easily, even without knowing where the key is). The keyless entry recognizes the key is getting close to the car and then you must mimic someone pressing a button on the outer door skin to unlock the door(s). Truly a challenging vehicle.
Q: What do you think of our terminology change from “Installer” to “Installation Technician”?
A: It better represents what we are, overall. Not long ago, our main job in the bay was to replace or add a component. So, the term “installer” was accurate. Now, the same personnel must learn how systems operate in a vehicle, to integrate new pieces while maintaining the safety and security of the vehicle, and to diagnose complex system problems. The term “technician” correctly lets the consumer know that there is more to the job and more to our education and capabilities. |
