In this episode, Dave Macholz, founder and CEO of AVTECC, discusses the transformation of technician certification through a skills-based, performance testing model. He outlines how AVTECC’s pilot programs in four colleges are working to bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world competency. The conversation also explores the resistance to change in the industry, highlighting the need for combining technical proficiency with enduring, “durable” skills to raise both technician and employer standards.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour.

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Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give

your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today!

https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Meet Dave Macholz
01:23 – What AVTECC Is and Why It Matters
03:14 – 4 Pilot Schools Leading the Change
06:29 – Where Tech Education Fails: Real-World Skills Gaps
08:00 – The Vision: Community Colleges as Regional Skill Centers
10:15 – Safety, Accountability & Hands-On Certification
12:03 – New Era: ADAS, EVs, and the Evidence Employers Want
16:06 – Industry Backing and Overcoming Resistance
18:41 – The Roots of Testing: Voluntary Certification and Its Limits
22:07 – The Reality of Shop Pay and Technician Value
28:33 – The Next Step: Training, Practice, and Performance

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Eric Svedberg, owner of European Auto Works and founder of Fuel Coaching, joins the podcast to talk about the importance of coaching for shop owners. Eric shares how building effective systems and empowering staff are critical for scaling a business and freeing up the owner’s time. He also emphasizes that both professional and personal growth can result from having the right coach, encouraging owners to seek support and not let past negative experiences hold them back.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Stop managing chaos and start leading with purpose. Visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co to learn more about Limitless Leadership coaching, training, and speaking.

Optimize Labor. Unlock Capacity. For less than $5 a day per technician, improve absorption rate, increase ELR, and give

your techs the career pathway that keeps them engaged and in the bay. Book a demo today!

https://meetings.hubspot.com/jen-grimes/demo-meeting?utm_campaign=41778739-Limitless+Leadership&utm_source=Limited+Leadership&utm_medium=LL+referral&uuid=57616c84-28ec-48d0-9a44-7b64074e5d8c

Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Eric Svedberg: Decades in the Industry
02:27 – Leaving the Gas Business: The Birth of Automotive Specialists
04:28 – Systemizing Success: Working One Day a Week
05:21 – The Realities & Rewards of Shop Coaching
08:00 – Why Every Leader Needs a Coach
10:36 – Overcoming Skepticism: Finding the Right Coaching Fit
13:38 – Creating a Professional Advantage: Book Insights
17:23 – Learning from Your Clients: Growth as a Coach
20:05 – Shop Culture: Core Values and Morning Huddles
22:51 – Empowerment Over Control: Delegation & Scaling
23:45 – Systems and Game-Changing Leadership Rules
31:29 – The Best Advice: Want Big Problems!

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.

In this episode, Charlie Burke and Luke Murray, training managers with Worldpac, share their journeys from humble beginnings to impactful leadership roles. Charlie Burke reflects on the value of industry-specific training, emphasizing how targeted education can transform struggling businesses into award-winning operations. Luke Murray highlights the importance of business management skills for shop owners, noting the powerful shift required when moving from technician to leader.

Learn more about Promotive or start your next search at https://www.gopromotive.com.

Visit Golden Hour Garage at https://www.goldenhourgarage.com to schedule a discovery call - & Own Your Golden Hour.

Stop wasting your marketing dollars and connect with Shop Marketing pros at https://www.shopmarketingpros.com.

Visit https://www.tekmetric.com to book a demo and see how Tekmetric can help you run your shop with more clarity and confidence.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Charlie Burke & Luke Murray
01:33 – Charlie Burke’s Story: From Aviation Setback to Training Leader
04:06 – Luke Murray’s Early Lessons in Entrepreneurship & Mentorship
09:10 – “I Can’t Afford Training”: Breaking the Mindset That Holds Shops Back
12:11 – Technicians vs. Coaches: The Mindset Shift Owners Need
14:05 – What STX Really Offers: World-Class Training & Connection
18:29 – Practice, Not Just Play: Turning Knowledge Into Shop-Wide Wins
24:51 – What Leadership Means (and Looks Like) Today
32:38 – The Best Advice Charlie Burke & Luke Murray Ever Received

I'm Josh Parnell, Founder and CEO of Limitless Leadership. With a team of leadership coaches, trainers, and speakers, Limitless Leadership helps aspiring leaders tap into unrecognized potential to achieve limitless results.

For more information, please visit https://www.limitlessleadership.co.