Tony Molla is the Vice President of Communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Leesburg, VA. With over 35 years experience in the automotive service industry, Tony has held positions at all levels, including technician, service manager, parts store manager, new car sales and automotive technical editor writing service manuals for the Chilton Book Company. He has authored more than a dozen technical and car care manuals. Prior to joining ASE in January, 2000, Tony spent nine years as the Editorial Director of Motor Age magazine and Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN).

ASK PATTY: Can you tell us a little bit about your job and your position at The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)?

Tony: I am responsible for all Corporate, external and internal communications at ASE. This includes things like press releases, industry presentations, trade shows and our website content. I also manage our Consumer Outreach efforts, which include free articles sent out to consumer publications like newspapers and magazines across the country. I also manage our outreach programs which involve our sponsorships in several areas. The largest is our participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where we sponsor Ted Musgrave’s No. 9 Team ASE/Germain Racing Toyota Tundra. We also have smaller sponsorships with the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, with a presence at air shows across the country, and a sponsorship of three Professional Bull Riders in the PBR Series. We also have a grassroots racing program called Team ASE which involves our ASE certified professionals who race their own vehicles. I am also the publisher of the ASE Tech News, our Corporate publication which goes to over 500,000 subscribers consisting mostly of ASE certified professionals and our industry supporters.

ASK PATTY: What does it mean to be ASE certified?

Tony: ASE Certification works like any other professional certification. Auto and truck professionals must take and pass an industry-developed competency test in one or more areas of expertise to become certified. There are eight tests in the auto series, for example. If an individual passes all tests in a series, they achieve Master Technician status. Being ASE certified means you have demonstrated the knowledge necessary to be proficient at a given task, plus have at least two years of hands-on repair experience. ASE also certifies parts professionals, service consultants, machinists, alternate fuels technicians, transit bus technicians, truck and collision technicians. It’s important to note that ASE certification is a voluntary program, so the individuals who have achieved it have also demonstrated a pride and professionalism that goes above and beyond the norm. These are the individuals you want working on your car.

ASK PATTY: Why are you promoting automotive careers to women? Are more women needed in the automotive field?

Tony: ASE has continuously promoted the value of an automotive career to both men and women, but the demand for women in particular has risen in recent years. This rise in demand has several reasons, not the least of which is the growing shortfall in qualified technical individuals available, but women have been proven to be particularly effective in the role of service consultant. As more and more women assume the role of primary caretaker of the family automobile, it’s becoming more important to improve the communications process at the service desk–and it’s been shown that female service consultants are very effective in that role. It’s also important to note that traditionally, women have made up about one percent of the technician workforce as well. In fact, there are a few shops out there that are exclusively staffed by women.

ASK PATTY: Can you tell us about your speaking program at schools? How are you educating and inspiring young women to consider a career in automotive?
Tony: I participate as a speaker in several Career Day events around the country each year. It’s really more a question of being invited back rather than a formal program by ASE. That said, I consider my time in front of young people some of the most important work I do. I speak with kids from the elementary to the high school level and always make it a point to spotlight the opportunities for women within the industry. Some of the best automotive diagnosticians I’ve met have been women, and the opportunities for a woman with a good technical background in the automotive industry is outstanding. These presentations I mention also use some brochures ASE has developed which outline some of the opporutnities within the industry for both male and female candidates.

ASK PATTY: Are women aware of the opportunities available to them in the automotive industry?
Tony: Actually, I’m continuously surprised at just how few women and men are aware of the wealth of opportunities available. We in the industry work hard to keep both Guidance Counselors and parents informed of what a great career choice it can be, but it’s clear we have some work yet to do to get the message out more widely.

ASK PATTY: What other types of jobs are available in automotive that aren’t service or mechanic’s jobs?
Tony: The possibilities are almost limitless. What I find interesting is how a technical background can open doors down the road in ways most never even imagine. I myself started out as an auto technician and worked part time while I went to college. Once I graduated, I found the earning potential much better in the service bay. In fact, it was largely my technical background, along with a degree in Journalism, that led to my current position. Along the way, I’ve held positions writing service manuals and as Editorial Director of two national trade magazines for auto and collision shops. But I’m just one example. There are opportunities in the automotive industry in sales, marketing, engineering, design, manufacturing, human resources, advertising, the list goes on and on. If you think about it, the automotive industry is a lot more than just selling and fixing cars.

ASK PATTY: What are some resources to women who are interested in starting a career in the automotive industry?

Tony: Perhaps the best resource is your local Technical Training program at either high school or junior college level. Getting involved in the automotive program can provide a deeper insight into the possibilities. There are also several initiatives within the automotive industry to recruit young people into the business. You can find out more by contacting the University of the Aftermarket, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, or some of the dedicated technical colleges like Universal Technical Institute or Wyo Tech, just to name a few. You can also contact us here at ASE with any questions. We’ll be happy to help in any way we can.

Baby Boomers Come of Age

Baby boomers are a huge demographic headed for retirement. The main element that separates this Baby Boomer generation from older generations is their attention to health issues and the length of time they have spent in the job market.

As generations grow older, there will be a greater need for specialized health care. Other areas that are likely to be impacted by the coming-of-age Baby Boomers include such industries as assisted living and social working.

Increasingly Effective Medicine

Innovations in the medical field along with the robust output of the pharmaceutical industry will help people to live longer; while maintaining the productivity of their lives. There are a growing number of adults who expect to work beyond the traditional normal retirement age. This trend will both demand and require a whole new generation of health care professionals and specialists that will be a major asset in helping to prolong the quality and vibrancy of life.

An Increased Need for Child Care Services

For people who work hard to maintain a certain standard of living, the need for high quality childcare services has resulted in a market place response with a variety of programs, such as pre-kindergarten educational programs that require highly trained educators. Traditionally a lower paying profession, childcare service is slowly becoming a more lucrative and stable career destination for many people. These educators are positioned to demand higher salaries than their predecessors.

Technology on the Move

There is never a shortage of ideas, and the fact that many American companies look to overseas for technology solutions should have no major impact on US technology professionals who have the skills and knowledge to effect upgrades and repairs. The world is competitive, and companies will continually need to provide their teams with competitive equipment and industry resources. IT, electrical, and cable Infrastructures will need to be updated on a continual basis.

IT professionals who have training and skills in networking and support should experience stable demand as companies come of age through the need to be and remain competitive on an on-going basis.

The Distribution of Work

The Distribution of work will continue to be a main impetus for the development of increasingly effective information networks. The term “hot desking” will become more familiar as consultants and business professionals continue to divide their time among diverse locations.

The need for education on demand will cause individuals to find the school programs that can allow them to get the industry-specific training needed to be successful in both their careers and lives. To stay ahead of the curve, business administration courses can teach you the skills needed to keep up with this competitive job market.

There is no doubt that the industry is advancing its pace to improve our daily life from all aspects. And the pump and valve are two familiar industrial equipments to people, I suppose. They do great favors to the manufacturing and living. Generally speaking, they are widely used as the liquid delivery devices for the fields of agriculture, chemical, petroleum, metallurgy, mining, power plants, food and urban water supply and drainage project. Thus, the bright future for their development is on the way.

At this moment, some domestic industrial bases are outstanding on the way. Take the industry of the pump and the valve is of prosperity in Yongjia County for example. The county has brought in this industry in 1970s. At the every beginning, most companies are in small scales holding the single product structure and the not well-known brand. What else, the factors such as the poor information resources and weak technical innovation would push the industrial development into a worse situation.

Fortunately, within the past 20 more years, it has made great progress over all the aspects to rise up as the mainstay industry of the county. According to the data statistics, the county has enterprises of more than 500. And the output value reached 7.5 billion in 2004, which equals to the 31.5% of the industry output value of the whole county and accounts for 20% of the domestic valve output value. In other words, the county has developed as the base integrating the manufacturing, technological innovation, quality testing and business gathering, training, which is favorable for the overall pattern of the pump and valve industry.

Whatever, it seems that the very start is difficult. And it is normal on the way to success. But the belief should be hold throughout the whole striving process. And the important point is to make full use of the local resources. Only the industry which is closely related to the local development can advance to the future development. And it is pleasant to see that much more new bases of the pump and valve industry come into our world. Whatever, people would realize the bright future. And it is certain to come across many difficulties either on the technologies or the performing conditions. Perhaps, the future development should focus on the utilization of the resources and technologies and the constant innovation spirit, together with the aim of creating well known brands in order to form the economic scale.

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