Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 9
Q: How many years have you been MECP certified?
A: 9
Q: How long did it take you to become a MECP certified Master Installation Technician?
A: 7
Q: How has becoming an MECP Master Installation Technician impacted your career?
A: Being Master Installation Technician Certified helped me out a great deal. I have better interaction with customers. The company I work for also gives me a higher rate of pay due to certification level.
Q: What do you feel are the big challenges facing the industry?
A: The biggest challenges the industry is facing are complexity of newer vehicle electrical systems (i.e., can-bus, class 2 data-bus). Also, the fact that more and more vehicles are coming equipped with most of the equipment that we install on a regular basis (e.g., remote start, navigation, premium sound, rear entertainment, satellite radio, subwoofers).
Q: What do you feel are the big challenges technicians face while working in the install bay?
A: The biggest challenges being faced in the bay are integrating aftermarket products with these new complex electrical systems, as well as finding good ways to enhance existing premium sound systems without replacing the OEM head unit.
Q: What are your comments about other installers who feel like the certification does not apply to them?
A: Certification is very valuable in this industry. Installation technicians who work in shops that do not require certification are more likely to loose business and have a bad reputation. Certification is a very good tool to use when talking to customers and giving them the peace of mind that a certified expert will be working on their vehicle - especially when dealing with high-end vehicles. Almost every other type of industry in the world requires their technicians to have some type of certification and I do not think we should be any different.
Q: In what areas of your current position do you feel like you excel? What are your strengths or skill-sets?
A: I am the top performer in my shop most every month. I do not really have one area of focus as far as my abilities go. I am proficient at custom dash kits, security, OEM integration, custom boxes, fiberglass, and large system installation. My favorite installs require a little bit of everything. Fiberglass and most any type of fabrication are what I prefer to do.
Q: As a Master Installation Technician, have you benefited financially in regard to salary, incentives or growth at your current employer?
A: Becoming Master Installation Technician certified put me into a different pay scale and my income increased.
Q: As a result of your certification, do you feel you have job security or better job prospects?
A: I do feel that I have job security. Not only because I am Master Installation Technician certified, but also due to the experience I have in the field. I feel that with my experience and certification that I can easily move on to other fields having to do with fabrication and electronics.
Q: Do you actively promote your Master Installation Technician Certification to your customers or retail audience? If so, how do your customers perceive you and your certification?
A: I inform almost every customer that I am a Master Installation Technician. Nine times out of 10 the customer has a good reaction and asks a little bit more about what that means. I let them know that my certification confirms that I am one of the best at what I do and that their vehicle is in good hands. Once again, this offers peace of mind for the customer.
Q: What is your favorite tool and why?
A: My favorite tool is the router. Most any shape or design can be fabricated and/or duplicated with a simple jig. It is also a very quick and accurate way to make OEM looking dash kits for vehicles that do not have one available.
Q: What is the most challenging car that you’ve worked on and why? (Include year, make, model and why was it difficult?)
A: As far a difficult to work on, I do not have one particular vehicle in mind. But most any new Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, VW, and even SAABs are getting very difficult to add anything aftermarket. Again, that is due to data bus systems. And, so many of them have audio systems and entire electrical systems that transfer data through optical cables. There is very little technical data available for these vehicles, even for things like ignition or accessory wires to turn after-market equipment on or off.
Q: What do you think of our terminology change from “Installer” to “Installation Technician”?
A: I like the term “installation technician.” One thing that really bothers me in this industry is that there is a general idea in the consumer world that installing audio equipment in vehicles is "so easy, anybody can do it." I feel that if we are classified more as a technician instead of just and installer then this perception that car audio is "so easy" may slowly dissipate.
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