Machine vs Human - Both correct?

Since ChatGPT is a "thing" right now, I thought I'd ask it an important question. A question that all "would-be" folks that are interested in becoming a Mechanic, should ask.

Chat, if you were an automotive mechanic, what would be the 
first thing you would want to learn?        

Whilst, I'm not exactly surprised at the answer; those of you reading this, might be.

If I were an automotive mechanic, the first thing I would want to learn is the basics of automobile systems and their components. This foundation is crucial for understanding how vehicles operate and diagnosing problems effectively. Here are a few key areas I would focus on:

1. Engine Systems: I would learn about the different types of engines, their components, and how they function. This includes understanding the fuel system, ignition system, cooling system, lubrication system, and exhaust system.
2. Electrical Systems: Vehicles rely on complex electrical systems for various functions. I would familiarize myself with the electrical components, wiring diagrams, and troubleshooting techniques to diagnose and repair electrical issues.
3. Suspension and Steering: Learning about suspension and steering systems is essential for maintaining a smooth ride and ensuring proper vehicle control. This includes understanding the different types of suspension setups, components like shocks, struts, control arms, and tie rods, as well as wheel alignment procedures.
4. Braking Systems: Brakes are crucial for vehicle safety. I would learn about different types of braking systems, such as disc brakes and drum brakes, and understand how to diagnose and repair brake-related issues. This includes knowledge of brake pads, rotors, calipers, brake lines, and brake fluid.
5. Transmission and Drivetrain: Understanding how transmissions and drivetrains work is important for diagnosing and repairing issues related to gears, clutches, driveshafts, differentials, and axles.
6. Diagnostics and Troubleshooting: Learning diagnostic techniques and tools is essential for efficiently identifying and resolving problems. This involves understanding error codes, using scan tools, interpreting diagnostic data, and conducting tests to pinpoint issues.
7. Safety Practices: As a mechanic, safety is paramount. I would prioritize learning about safety procedures, handling hazardous materials, and following proper protocols to ensure a safe working environment.

Remember, these are just some of the fundamental areas to start with as an automotive mechanic. Ongoing learning and keeping up with advancements in automotive technology are crucial for staying up to date in the field.

This unedited response is obviously canned and pigeon-holes Mechanics into being nothing more than a robot. Coming from a robot itself.

...but read between the lines.

Where in that list does it say...

• Communication
• Community
• Patience
• Respect
• Loyalty
• Drive
• Trust
• Team

It doesn't.

The stuff that makes us human has been removed. The skills, attributes, "brother and sisterhood", and attitudes that keep technicians in this business for decades have been omitted.

When you get robots to teach people, you get robots.

When you allow your team to become robots, they leave.

When you grow your own technicians, you create a community, and they stay.

Those community members then have the desire to become like those that taught them, become like the High-Performing Technicians.

The highest-performing technicians are generally the eldest and most experienced in the shop.

However, those same high-performers care more about communication, trust, resources, and respect than any other challenge they face.

So, in order to ensure our next generation can learn from the "old-schoolers", we need to teach them about communication, trust, respect, etc.

Need to help your team learn about subjects like that?

Don Crawley does a great job at this, teaching about respect,

in 3:54 seconds here:

The next time a young, or old, Mechanic asks you about leveling up in some way, ask them what they want to learn and listen to the answer.

These folks need to be taught the big picture, the way the outgoing generation was taught. OTJ.

And remember, even if they need to level up their Brand Certs, just learning about the technical specifications of the latest powertrain component of ABC Motors, may not be the best skill for them to learn, especially if it was written in a way only a robot would understand.

j.

TL;DR

• Asking questions of your team is vital to growth, and sustainable teams.
• Technical certs are not the only thing a technician should learn
• Soft-Skills can be taught online

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Disclaimer: I am not a Psychologist or Wellness practitioner, registered or otherwise; even though I've now been called a therapist almost a dozen times. I am not a professional Life Coach or trained teacher. I am simply applying my perspective and relaying advice I've created or gathered over the years from other professionals, with a peppering of research and statistics, in addition to the context of my life. Please, do your own due diligence, and use it at your adult discretion.