Strategy & Tactics

Using the MECP Program to Your Advantage

Learn how MECP certification can help both you and your store grow professionally.

WORDS BY KRIS BULLA

Industries outside of car audio or mobile electronics typically have certifications of different types to acknowledge they have obtained education in or demonstrated knowledge or expertise in one or more areas. State or local authorities govern these certifications or licenses, and the ability to perform work professionally in a particular field depends on having one or more of them. While there is no strict monitoring or policing in this industry, it does have

the Mobile Electronics Certified Professionals (MECP) program as the sole industry-wide indicator of knowledge in these subjects. It is the only program that certifies professional technicians on the installation, integration, and diagnosis of aftermarket vehicle technology products.

Products like radios, amplifiers, and security and remote start systems need to be integrated into the vehicle’s systems properly to prevent problems and to ensure reliability. Mounting products carefully can avoid damage to vehicle components and ensure the safe operation of a modified car. Since MECP is the only nationally recognized certification program for the mobile electronics industry, it should be relevant to you as a professional to obtain certification.

Defining Your Drive to be Certified

It all starts with you. You show up to work every day, perform some installations, and then go home. You might do that for a year, or five, or ten. But what do you have that indicates your expertise to a customer? Telling a customer you’ve “done a lot of installations,” or “worked on a lot of cars,” doesn’t mean a lot. A customer would assume this by walking into your retail location. However, pointing out your current certification hanging on the shop wall indicates your desire for ongoing education and a willingness to consistently improve in your field.

How many technicians are in your shop? How many have MECP certification? And at what levels are they certified? The majority of technicians certified through the MECP program are at the Basic level. While this does indicate an adequate level of understanding in electronics, it is the first step in the certification tree. Advanced and Master-level certifications demonstrate a much higher level of knowledge, and the experience needed to apply that knowledge in an automotive application. A bonus is that the Advanced and Master certifications last for four years, so the work required to achieve these levels is well worth the effort. Basic level certifications expire in two years, which is okay, but it requires more work to keep up with it, or it can expose you when the certifications are on display, showing you haven’t taken the time to get recertified if it expires more often.

Your Shop’s Drive to Succeed and Support the Program

Does your shop require certification to be hired, or to work on vehicles in the installation bay? Many large chains have this requirement, but what about your shop? With the sophisticated electrical systems in most cars nowadays, it is essential to have a substantial level of knowledge of electrical fundamentals before integrating new electronics into a vehicle.

There are a lot of competent technicians in the industry who are not certified. But how is that competence measured? A photo book of previous jobs? An industry-backed award voted on by people who have never seen the work performed by the technician or the shop first-hand? Popularity in a Facebook group? Those can be very useful marketing tools for sure, but the yard-stick for the actual knowledge and technique varies by both the market and region.

A standardized measurement of this knowledge can be even more powerfully demonstrated to a customer if your store has standards—not just for the certification accomplishments of the technicians employed there, but also down to using floor mats or seat covers when working on vehicles. These things can collectively build an impressive display to a customer, showing why they should have their car worked on by the technicians in your shop.

Visit any local vehicle manufacturer dealership. Cadillac will tout that their technicians are GM Master Certified. Toyota will brag about their Master Certified or Master Diagnostic Certified Toyota technicians. These are levels of ongoing education training programs their technicians go through so they can service their customers at a higher level, reduce diagnostic or component replacement comebacks, and reduce the time needed for diagnostic procedures and repairs. So how do you stack up to them? Shouldn’t your shop be at least competitive on this front? Shouldn’t you be able to tout that you have an MECP Master certified technician on your staff?

You should at least be able to claim some certification, even at a Basic level. If a customer comes to you to have their car upgraded with new technology, and they ask you about certification, what is your response? I would hope it’s not, “We aren’t certified because we don’t need it.” That would result in an eye-roll from a lot of customers. It does not seem like a professional response from a professional facility.

Marketing MECP to Your Customers

Marketing MECP is where the rubber meets the road. All your certifications are for naught if you are not using it to promote your shop’s professional installation capabilities or as part of your installation sales pitch.

There are four primary certification levels in the MECP program, as follows: •Mobile Product Specialist certification means the professional has a current awareness of current technology and they

MECP certification not only showcases an individual’s professional ability, but it can also be a great tool for marketing and attracting new customers.

can help select products to build an audio system or add new features like backup cameras and remote starts to a vehicle. This certification is valid for four years.

•Basic Installation Technician certification means the technician has experience in basic-level installations and is trained in shop safety to be functional and effective in the installation facility. This technician has basic electrical knowledge and can execute proven troubleshooting steps. This certification is valid for two years.

•Advanced Installation Technician certification shows that the technician understands fundamental aspects of electrical circuits and troubleshooting, and they also have at least one year of experience performing installations in vehicles. A higher level of understanding in electrical theory and technology concepts make this technician capable of handling most installation tasks. This certification is valid for four years.

•Master Installation Technician certification is the highest level of certification through the MECP program. A technician of this level is fully capable of handling any installation in a vehicle. Often, these professionals will be a shop manager or lead technician whom other techs in the facility will ask for assistance with troubleshooting and more technical integration projects. This certification is valid for four years.

The Mobile Product Specialist is not a technician-level certification. It is meant for sales professionals or technicians who float back and forth between the installation bay and the sales floor. It provides a sales-oriented technology and application base, so this profession can have an educated conversation with a customer when they come into a shop asking for help with something specific. It is common for managers and owners to have both the Mobile Product Specialist certification as well as an Advanced or Master level technician certification.

MECP has digital assets to provide certified technicians with the MECP Certified logo for shirts, or business cards, and can provide patches for uniforms and duplicate copies of certifications for display in multiple areas of the store or as personal keepsakes.

MECP has also introduced the MECP Supporter logo that can be obtained for a company to show their support for the program, even if they do not have a certified technician on staff. This logo can be handy for manufacturers

or organizational bodies in the mobile electronics industry and can increase exposure for the program.

Your MECP Success Checklist

If you are not very familiar with the Mobile Electronics Certified Professionals program, it can be a bit daunting and overwhelming at first glance. However,

it is relatively simple to understand and accomplish if you follow some simple guidelines. Below is a set of checklists to get started: •Personal - Are you certified? - Can you increase your Basic certification to an Advanced or Master level certification?

Store

- Do you have at least one MECP certified technician?

- Do you have at least one MECP certified Product Specialist?

• Marketing - Do you have your MECP Retailer Signage Kit up and visible in your shop or retail storefront? (Request a kit by filling out this form, bit.ly/mecpretailerkit, which requires at least one certified technician on staff.)

- Do your certified technicians and Product Specialists have the MECP certified logo on their business cards?

- Does your company website talk about your certified technicians and how they can provide safe and professional installations?

- Do your website, and marketing materials use the MECP Supporter logo? (Obtain the logo by filling out this form bit.ly/ MECPsupporterlogo and submitting to kbulla@ctatech. com.)

The staff at MECP is always ready to answer questions and help guide you through the process of getting certified and promoting the certification program in your shop. You can also find a wealth of information at www.mecp.com to help get you started. You can send general emails to MECP@MECP.com to request assistance with anything MECP related.