Meet a young technician: Mete Genc
Mete Genc may still be in high school, but his understanding of automotive technology's evolution and the importance of problem solving skills shows wisdom beyond his years.
Vehicle Service Pros is partnering with TechForce Foundation to share profiles and perspectives of young automotive technicians who are in the early days of their careers. These students were asked: "What is one skill you would like to master?"
"The world of automotive technology is always changing. As cars are increasingly sophisticated by the day, loaded with high technological electronic devices and novel materials, the work of an automotive technician becomes more and more complex," Genc says.
"The most essential skill in this crazy industry is the ability to think like a single problem solver. This skill goes beyond just knowing how to fix things — it helps technicians adapt, think critically, and tackle all kinds of challenges effectively.
"Today vehicles go beyond being simply mechanical. They are complex systems that include software, hardware, and human designs interfacing with each other. Fixing these systems demands creative thinking and flexibility when not a clear solution is apparent.
"Cars are fitted with sophisticated diagnostic tools, sensors, and computers, generating huge amounts of data. Although such tools can help to identify, interpret, and problematize the data, it is the critical thinking that leads to understanding the data itself.
"For instance, a car can indicate that the fault is an oxygen sensor issue, but the real problem is a wiring fault or a further malfunction in the engine. By problem solving, a highly trained technician tries out various possibilities and eventually identifies the actual cause.
"Problem-solving will remain the key to success. Learning this skill allows technicians not only to improve their jobs, but also to contribute to safer, more reliable, and more innovative vehicles."