WOTPod 010 w/ Wayne Bridges

This episode features Wayne Bridges, Director of Technician Training at Toyota of Puyallup and one of the most respected voices in automotive technician development. With over fifty years in the industry and thirty years teaching, Wayne has helped shape hundreds of technicians through structured training, real mentorship, and a dealership culture focused on long term success.We break down the technician pipeline, ASE preparation, flat rate challenges, apprentice development, and why so many new technicians fail early in their careers. Wayne explains what dealerships get wrong about technician training and how the shops that invest in their people end up keeping them for decades. He also shares insight from building an in-house technician training program that has become a model for the industry.This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone in the automotive world. Whether you are an apprentice, a flat rate tech, a service advisor, or a manager trying to reduce turnover, Wayne’s lessons will change the way you see technician growth and shop culture.🔧 In this episode:• Understanding flat rate and why new techs struggle• How to train technicians from the ground up• The gap between ASE certification and real world shop skills• Why mentorship is essential for technician success• How in-house dealership training programs keep techs long term• Building efficiency, confidence, and professional habits• What every young technician must know to grow their careerIf you want to improve technician performance, reduce turnover, and build a stronger career in the automotive industry, this conversation is a must watch.WOTPod Patreon: patreon.com/cw/WOTPodCurtis' Website: stan.store/techgnarrJalid's Instagram: instagram.com/nobucks_jsConnect with Wayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wayne-bridges-auto