Closing the Automotive Skills Gap with Real-World Technician Training
As vehicle technology continues to evolve, today’s technicians are facing a growing challenge: keeping up with increasingly complex systems while maintaining efficiency in the shop. In this In The Driver's Seat, Erik Screeden sits down with Justin Shaffer, technical training manager for North America at Delphi, to explore how modern automotive technician training is adapting to meet these demands.
The conversation centers around Delphi’s Tech Tip Thursday series, a fresh approach to technician continuing education that delivers short, high-impact sessions focused on real world automotive repair training. Unlike traditional courses, these sessions are designed to address the automotive skills gap by providing immediately applicable insights technicians can use in the bay. From tackling advanced topics like network diagnostics to improving everyday troubleshooting, the training emphasizes practical solutions that lead to faster, more accurate repairs.
Shaffer explains how this vehicle diagnostics training is structured to be accessible, efficient and directly tied to real shop challenges — helping technicians boost productivity and confidence without stepping away from their workflow. The result is a smarter, more capable workforce equipped to handle today’s vehicles.
To learn how Tech Tip Thursday training is reshaping technician education and delivering real value in the shop, watch the full video. Then click here to learn more about Tech Tip Thursday training.
About the Author
Erik Screeden
Technical and Multimedia Content Director
Erik Screeden is the Technical and Multimedia Content Director for the Vehicle Service & Repair Group. Erik is an ASE Master Automobile Technician with L1, and L4 credentials, who has been in the industry for over 25 years in various capacities. During that time, Screeden was a technician. He started out at a Ford dealership and continued to several independent repair facilities as well as spent time in the specialty aftermarket at a GM-specific performance shop. After his time as a technician came to an end, Screeden transitioned into a role providing scan diagnostic and J2534 tool support. He was then able to parlay his experience as a technician and a support specialist and use that in several technical sales roles.
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