with Stacey Phillips
Techs of the Future
Stacey Phillips is an award-winning freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry. She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications, and is co-author of “The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops.” She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.
with Stacey Phillips
Preparing & Training the Agents of Change in Future Technology A few years ago, when people talk- mechanical systems.” ed about connected vehicles and She recalls attending the SEMA self-driving, Elaina Farnsworth said Show in 2016 and listening to John it was perceived as a computer-based Waraniak, vice president of vehicle industry. technology at SEMA. The CEO of The NEXT Educa- “He said that many years ago, tion said every person interested in we would be standing up on this stage intelligent transportation and saying, ‘I have the fastest, coolest and loudest car,’” mobility systems was expectsaid Farnsworth. “In the next ed to have computer science 10 years, we are going to be and engineering skills. Very quickly, organisaying, ‘I have the most conzations realized the need nected car.’” for technicians to repair the Anticipating the changes infrastructure and technolo- Elaina Farnsworth ahead, Farnsworth set out gy in these vehicles after a to create a learning path for collision. the next generation of workers inter “It is no longer your dad’s auto- ested in being part of the automotive mobile,” said Farnsworth. “Cars are industry. evolving where most of all vehicles “We need technicians to underare built with sensor technology and stand the coolness around these vemove data. As a technician, you will hicles and we need the repairers to need to know a little about sensors, understand this is a very interesting technology, electrical systems and field that pays a lot of money,” she
Continued from Page 32
Latest in Lawsuits According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, the employee immediately notified the owner of K&L Auto Crushers in Tyler, TX, when she was diagnosed, and told the company the estimated length of her chemotherapy treatment. Shortly after starting chemotherapy, the owner told the employee, who was K&L’s comptroller, the company had secured temporary help and that she should stay home until she was finished with her chemotherapy. The comptroller asked the owner if she could work from home, and later requested a modified work schedule, while she was undergoing chemotherapy, but K&L denied both
requests. K&L fired her, but did not tell her she had been terminated until she finished chemotherapy. Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA.) The EEOC, which filed suit after first attempting to reach a settlement with K&L, seeks back pay and compensatory and punitive damages, as well as an order barring K&L from engaging in discriminatory treatment in the future. “This comptroller was a hardworking, loyal employee who sought multiple avenues to continue working during her illness and chemotherapy treatment,” said Meaghan Kuelbs, senior trial attorney with the EEOC. “Employers should fairly consider an employee’s accommodation request and deny an accommodation only if it would create an undue hardship.”
Call or Email Now for Rates: AUTOBODY ltedesco@autobodynews.com
said. “It doesn’t take a four-year degree.” Instead, she said technicians can learn the necessary skills through targeted education. Farnsworth has focused on certification, training and upskilling programs in intelligent transportation, connected and autonomous vehicles and new mobility systems for more than 20 years. In 2018, she established The NEXT Education, offering certification and credentialing programs related to connected transportation systems, autonomous vehicles and cybersecurity. This year, Farnsworth partnered with Regina Hopper, who has a background in transportation, communications, energy public policy, media and law, and serves as the chief strategy officer. “Our mission is simple: we want to create agents of change who will lead critical new mobility systems
development and deployment,” explained Farnsworth. The program is based on what she refers to as “MicroTraX,” a hybrid education model that combines self-paced learning with instructor interaction. The online live training is presented by subject-matter experts who are leaders in their respective fields. Each seven- to 10-minute module is built to be a consumable piece of competency-based education to prepare organizations and individuals for the future. Since COVID-19, The NEXT Education has been focusing on online live instruction, but plans to return to in-person seminars in 2021. The learning is geared to a cross-section of the industry and is targeted to both new technicians entering the industry as well as those seeking professional development.
Your Trusted Source for Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter Parts in the Upper Midwest • Only Mercedes-Benz Parts Pro Approved Dealer in the 5 State Area • Highly Knowledgeable and Dedicated Wholesale Parts Staff Ready to Help You • Free Daily Deliveries and Same Day Hot Shot Deliveries in the Metro Area • Extensive Inventory of Genuine OEM Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter Parts Updated Daily • Compe ve Pricing and Discounts Always
WHOLESALE HOTLINE
866-821-6014 PARTS DIRECT
952-512-6555 HOURS
Sears Imported Autos
13500 Wayzata Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55305 952-512-6623 24 Hour Parts Fax www.searsimports.com
mbparts@searsimports.com
M-F 7:00am - 6:00pm Sat 8:00am - 4:00pm
800-699-8251
38 OCTOBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com
Midwest_Issue_1020.indd 38
9/21/2020 4:11:43 PM
learn nolo beca “one tinua info vant ting we h as w ture,
