Technician Training

NAFA’s 2024 Institute & Expo is pleased to offer a specialty technician program and registration for technicians and service professionals! With this registration, you will receive a day of premier networking, education, and impactful experiences, giving you a glimpse of what I&E has to offer.

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Registration: Registration for the Technician Training is $199.
Includes access to: FLEETSolutions Live Breakfast, technician training sessions, Expo Hall (lunch on your own), Ride and Drive, and Closing Reception.

Instructor: All educational sessions will be instructed by Drew Jablonowski, Garage Gurus Content and Curriculum Manager.

Note: The Technician Training Track is available to technicians and service professionals only on Wednesday, April 24. Documentation/proof of job description may be requested to complete registration.

Technician Training Schedule

All events to occur on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

7:30 – 8:15 a.m. FLEETSolutions Live Breakfast Panel: HOT CAKES AND HOT TAKES! A Safety Panel with Fleet Bosses to Start Your Day!

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Garage Gurus: Steering and Suspension A-Z
This clinic enhances the skills of the professional undercar technician in the areas of mechanical and electronic steering and suspension systems. We discuss proper component inspection procedures on today’s popular suspension and steering systems. Vehicle diagnostic strategies revolving around ride quality and handling issues are a focus with an emphasis on electronic shocks and air springs used on vehicles with ECS (Electronically Controlled Suspension). A description, operation and diagnostic segment on electric steer vehicles is included. Integration of these components within modern day safety systems result in special wheel alignment procedures after ‘hard part’ replacement. We discuss how to perform this service the ‘right way’ to restore proper vehicle handling and control. Calibrating various steering and suspension components after replacement is highlighted. After completing this clinic, the student will have the knowledge to:

Relate worn chassis components to accelerated tire wear and inadequate steering, stopping and stability
Define the operation of electronically assisted steering systems (column drive, rack motor drive, belt drive)
Validate performance of steering and suspension components on ECS equipped vehicles
Understand the function and calibration needs of the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) within various vehicle safety systems
Recognize scan tool functional tests, data stream interpretation and output controls to complete electronic steering and suspension service procedures

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Garage Gurus: Engine Performance Diagnostic Strategies
This clinic is designed to keep technicians current on changing Engine Management Systems and diagnostic procedures. The focus is on helping the technician become more proficient in interpreting the information the scan tool provides for engine performance diagnostics. We establish a foundation utilizing “strategy based diagnostics” to reduce diagnostic time and prevent emission related Check Engine light comebacks. We discuss utilizing scan tool information to gain diagnostic direction to repair today’s most seen Engine Performance concerns. Putting all the pieces together during an engine diagnostic is a lot like reading a road map; the key to success is finding the shortest path to the destination without getting lost. After completing this seminar, the student will have the knowledge to:

Apply a logical flow of diagnosing Check Engine light concerns through understanding what the scan tool data is saying
Utilize the graphing function of the scan tool to ‘trend’ important scan tool PID (Parameter Identification Data) relationships
Diagnose emission related Check Engine light problems on vehicles through using generic and enhanced scan data analysis
Five diagnostic checks to perform to before catalytic converter replacement
Interpret important engine performance sensor information and vehicle operating system strategies

11:00 a.m. – 1:20 p.m. Expo and Lunch (lunch not included in package)

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Garage Gurus: Introduction to Electric Vehicles
This clinic provides easy to understand information about how an actual electric vehicle works. Reducing or eliminating emissions is high priority for vehicle manufacturers. One way to achieve this goal is increase the number of zero emission vehicles on the road. California has a zero-emission mandate and China has also adopted a version of California’s plan in its new energy mandate. BEV production numbers are on the rise and are soon going to be commonplace. The time is here to start learning about BEV’s and preparing for this fundamental shift in automotive technology. This clinic will present a solid overview of components, operation and the tooling you will need to successfully compete in the BEV market. We will discuss BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) battery packs, invertors, converters, electric motors, normal-safe service procedures, and the various modules that control the vehicle’s electrical systems. After completing this seminar, the student will have the knowledge to:

Invest wisely in the special tools required for service of BEV’s
Recognize common components shared between Hybrids and BEV’s
Identify components found only on BEV’s
Understand battery construction, cooling and testing methods
Recognize power flow through the BEV drivetrain

2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Ride & Drive Experience

4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Closing Reception

Schedule is subject to change.

Cancellation & Substitutions Policy

Registration may be cancelled with the following fees and penalties:

All cancellations must be made in writing, via email and sent to registration@nafa.org. Cancellations received on or before Feb 7 are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations received between Feb 7 – March 15 are eligible for a 50% refund. Cancellation received after March 15, 2024, are not eligible for a refund.

Should an attendee not be able to attend I&E they may substitute another person from their organization with no substitution fees or changes in rate assessed.

NAFA Membership fees are non-refundable.

Name substitutions (within the same company/organization) may be made until March 15, 2024 at no charge. After March 15, all name substitutions will incur a $100 processing fee. If the name changes results in a higher registration fee/category being selected, you will be charged for the difference in rates. If a substitution results in the new registrant being in a lower fee category, the higher rate stands, and no refunds shall be made.

In the event NAFA must cancel the conference due to unforeseen circumstances, NAFA will automatically roll all registration fees to the 2024 Institute & Expo virtual program. Should a refund be requested, only portion not allocated to the virtual program will be refunded. In the event of cancellation of any portion, or entire event, NAFA does not assume responsibility for any additional costs, charges, or expenses; to include, charges made for travel and lodging.

Privacy Policy: During the process of registration, registrants share with us personal information about themselves which generally includes contact information, demographics pertaining to profession, and payment information. From time to time, NAFA may share this contact information with other organizations, such as trade show exhibitors and vendors, for marketing purposes. If registrant does not wish to receive such offers, they may “Opt Out” during the registration process.

For detailed information on how data is managed see NAFA’s Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.