Six technicians working for VIP Inc. dba VIP Tires & Service have earned Master Technician status from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
These six join VIP’s growing list of ASE Master Technicians, plus the seven VIP professionals who hold ASE World Class Technician status.
“The ASE certification process, for both World Class Technician and Master Technician, is rigorous and time-consuming outside of normal working hours,” says Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP. “We’re proud of our culture that gives every VIP team member the ability to get themselves promoted, and our team members’ 1,700 certifications are evidence that people will pursue continuing education when given the opportunity. Our customers count on service from certified automotive professionals, so that’s what we promote. We appreciate their commitment to advancing their skill set and know they will make an impact in the VIP stores where they’re located.”
These six newly appointed VIP ASE Master Technicians join an elite group. Nationally, there are 763,700 automotive technicians working in the United States; and of those, 173,213 are ASE certified. Only 63,618 have achieved ASE Master status and approximately 2,000 have achieved ASE World Class status.
The newly certified Master Technicians include:
- Alvin Martin, Biddeford, Maine
- Rod Bishop, Concord, N.H.
- Dustin Collins, Auburn, Maine
- Lyle Labadour, Augusta, Maine
- Bruce Morin, Bangor, Maine
- Kevin Norris, Arundel, Maine
VIP encourages all technicians to become certified in as many ASE categories as possible and pays for all study materials and the cost of the ASE exams.
“A benefit of working for VIP Tires & Service is that we encourage all technicians to pursue as many ASE certifications as they want to. We have had six technicians achieve Master Technician status just over the last few weeks, with many others in the wings waiting to finish up a few more ASE classes to receive their new ASE Master or World Class titles. It’s exciting to see so many team members strive to learn more and take advantage of our offerings as a company,” says Winkeler.
To achieve ASE Master Automobile & Light Truck Technician status, employees have to pass eight ASE certifications in specific areas. Each of the content specific exams has 40 to 50 questions and was created and administered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
The tests were in the following areas: engine repair; automatic transmission/transaxle; manual drive train and axles; suspension and steering; brakes; electrical/electronic system; heating and air conditioning; and engine performance.
