THE LEARNING CULTURE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
Instant gratifi cation is replacing practice and the result is a dismal state of skill in the trade. Too many people are still waiting for someone or something to show them the way. Social media, let’s get this out of the way, may contain about 1% useful information.
Th e rest is junk. Some will argue this as they fi x dents in their vehicle with hot water and a toilet plunger. Recently, there was an article on LinkedIn, which is also showing signs of deterioration, referring to the state of welding in the collision industry. The article referenced a recent CIC session in the U.S., where a presenter raised some eyebrows with this statement: in my opinion, probably 2% of the cars on the road that were repaired and welded at repair facilities are probably welded correctly. More fact than fi ction, I say. We are in a dismal state when it comes to keeping up with our skill sets.
Grab your favourite blankie and a Band-Aid because this is going to hurt; you may even need a hug.
Many people out there are quick to defend the technician, saying it’s not their fault; they need training, support and opportunity. All statements of merit. However, this is not a green card. Th e technician is still 100% accountable for their actions, not the boss, not the shop, not management and not industry. Vehicles and repairs present challenges for all involved, but again, not an excuse. Technicians know these challenges are present; if they don’t, and think the status quo is still good to go, it’s time to find new work.
Now, because I am somewhat compassionate to the technician’s plight, I shall elaborate. Let me back up here to the introduction regarding social media. I grew up in an age without the internet, without instant gratification. Some refer to it as the school of hard knocks. Th e hardest thing for a technician to overcome is knowing what they don’t know. I realize this now more than ever with the internet. When I watch someone DIY a repair online incorrectly, I know this through practical wisdom. I know what they don’t know.
I do have a Red Seal; however, I never went to school, no high school program, no college for collision repair and no apprenticeship. I challenged my Red Seal final as a bet, and the rest is history. My knowledge base came from wanting to know why, or how. I needed to learn what I knew I didn’t know. Sure, a lot of what was fed to me was questionable at the best of times, but that is just it: I questioned it until I found an appropriate answer with an appropriate explanation. Th is did not happen overnight; I still practice this today. Defi ning the difference between knowledge and a sales pitch can be a fine line.
Why the history lesson? Because the signifi cance of the learning culture has been compromised. As I went through university for my BEd degree, I noticed that a lot of emphasis was placed on reinventing the wheel, often driven by technology. Th is bothered me because what I saw happening was the formation of instant gratification. One lesson and move to the next, watch a video, do an online quiz, good to go: next. Slowly, the sense of urgency to be immersed in the topic was eroding; no one cared about the why.
When I taught high school, I gave the students a test and told them it was open book and to pull out their phones too. Th ey, along with other teachers, thought I was crazy, yet the students were elated. They thought this would be easy, until it wasn’t. The result was that no one scored 100%. Why? Because they didn’t know what the correct answer was; they just picked the fi rst thing that came up. Instant gratification.
People rely on this today; no one memorizes anything, no one practices the skill set, one and done. Before the internet, we had rote memorization and practice; that was how we became skilled. Eighteen years of I-CAR instructing, and I still see repeat technicians struggle to get through certifi cation because they don’t practice. Some don’t care to know, and some are complacent. You can watch a thousand YouTube videos a thousand times and still struggle. I can show you the process a hundred times, and still you will struggle. As a technician, it is up to you to take that initiative and apply it to self-betterment.
A one-hour course or a one-day workshop is not going to transform anyone to the next level. All that does is give you the tools to apply and get there. You need to practice and master the skill. The argument has been presented that welding isn’t done as much anymore. Does that mean it is not important anymore? Of course not. It is even more important because when it is needed, serious parameters are usually involved. Again, no excuse. Certifications such as I-CAR welding certifications should be renewed annually at a minimum. A technician needs to be equipped to complete the task with accountability.
What is the answer? Everyone wants to know. Put down your phones, here it is: time and eff ort. When we dedicate time to a problem, we tend to fi gure things out, and during that time, we need to put in eff ort. Th ere is no one source to blame; it is everyone. Stop waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
With time and eff ort from the education system, shortcuts will fade. From shops and owners, you need to let trainees be trained. Do not ask if they will be done by lunch, because they will not. Technicians, remember: everything you learn stays with you. It makes you a better technician and gives you the sense of pride you deserve when a job is completed and done well. I call this delayed gratification.
Athletes know how to perform their sport. Musicians know how to play their instrument. Th e only way they get better and reach the top is through practice and applying themselves. Everyone begins at ground zero; there is no magical solution, no unicorn. Eddie Van Halen was not so good that he did not need to practice; he was so good because he practiced.
Until we step back, put aside instant gratification and embrace delayed gratification, apply time and effort from all involved, we will be having this conversation again next year. All the information is out there, in truckloads; you must embrace it. In my opinion, and you are entitled to my opinion, good enough is not good enough.
