The organization offers training, resources, discounts, and education for the betterment of the automobile repair industry.Washington, Utah – Mechanic Alliance Foundation is pleased to announce it is helping to build a better tomorrow for the automobile repair industry with its free resources, education, discounts, and so much more.
Mechanic Alliance Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization consisting of automotive mechanics and auto repair shops. At its core, the organization mentors mechanics new to the industry, and those already working, with all they need to succeed – including tips to develop technical skills and business strategies, discounts on tools, guidance with job placements, and introducing them to an extensive, worldwide network. What makes Mechanic Alliance Foundation unique is that all of this support is provided completely free of charge.
“The auto repair industry is in dire straits, needing 400,000 mechanic positions filled from 2020-2024, as per Ranken Technical College,” says co-founder of Mechanic Alliance Foundation, Marvin Ray. “This enormous lack of skilled mechanics is driving up repair costs, delays, and hurting those who need their cars fixed promptly. This void is coming from mechanics retiring and business growth.”
“Add to that the face that today’s automobile is not like the automobile your parents drove,” Marvin continues. “With over 100 ‘computers,’ some approaching 200, these computers are not like your desktop computer or notebook. Instead, they are programmable logical controllers complete embedded computers, based on microcontrollers or microprocessors, and running operating systems. Essentially what this means is that today’s mechanics are now, more than ever, automotive IT technicians.”
“To help combat this issue, Mechanic Alliance Foundation provides training, resources, and education for the betterment of those wanting to come into the automotive repair industry, and those currently in the industry,” David Swensen, co-founder of the platform concludes. “We are building a better tomorrow for the automobile repair industry - today.”
For more information about Mechanic Alliance Foundation, or to access its free automotive industry resources, please visit https://mechanicalliancefoundation.org/.
About Mechanic Alliance Foundation
Mechanic Alliance Foundation was co-founded by David Swensen and Marvin Ray as a way to help support industry professionals in getting the education, resources, and connections they need to succeed.
Dave is the resident engineer on the team. His 40+ years of experience in the industry and analytical eye makes him a great asset, with diagnostics and the business side of helping the platform’s members. Dave can be found at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he's a tech official, often seen going through cars making sure they're safe for the track.
Marvin is a My Certified Mechanic, well known for his nation-wide training efforts with Grease Monkey International, Big O tires, and the state of Utah. He brings nearly 50 years of experience and specializes in advanced diagnostic procedures and shop ownership. Marv continues to put his experience to use in bringing great training resources to teach the next generations of automotive technicians.
Contact Information
Marvin Ray
Have you ever tried to not complain about something or someone for 24 hours? Try it. It's not easy but it should help you see things in a different light. Let's face it, we all like to complain (even me) if it's not about the weather it’s about a TV show, co-worker, article we read, government official or something else we literally have no control over.
There’s a reason why it seems everyone in the whole world is struggling to reclaim the course of their own life, it all boils down to managing our own expectations.
Complaints are negative thoughts and guess what, if you are negative all of a sudden everything around you becomes negative. Let's say it starts with waking up and it's raining. Can you control it? No! Can you control your attitude? Yes! Think of positive things, I know this would be hard in a place where it rains most of the year, but I have seen those places and they are beautiful year round, not dry and ugly with blow sand blowing through your window if you leave it open or carried in with your shoes, clothing etc.
Let's not coddle ourselves or beat around the bush, we have the choice to do something about it. It's all up to us! I'll give an example - I have stated to my lovely wife I was going to clean my office now for almost 3 months (if not longer) so why is that? Why haven't I done it? It is because "I" chose not to do it. Why is that? Is it because I'm lazy or it would take too long or something else? The power to act and do is entirely up to us.
So how do you start? About 4-5 months ago my wife came home from a meeting about building schedules in our life and how real successful people have every minute if every day lined out and know what they are going to do and accomplish. So, I took the task to hand and built a half day schedule. And guess what happened, out of the past 4-5 months I did relax a little about month 3, but because I had set the schedule, I quickly realized I was messing up my life and attitude no one else. Heck no one cared if I do it or even knows I do, but I know, and that's what matters most, I also realized my time was not being spent wisely again, my body was starting to ache again because of not exercising. Set a half a day of goals right now and accomplish it daily.
Who you hang out with will affect you! I remember years ago a teacher stating that he could see the change in a student within weeks by who they started to hang out with. This is your choice especially if you are following negative people in social media or hanging out with them in real life. I get it some will say "I'm trying to help them." First off how can you help them if you yourself are not strong. I will always try to help but I have learned real fast you need to see that they truly want to help themselves first or they will pull you down as well. Drama will pull you down quickly. You can ask those around me if I do drama. I don't! To me I see it as the biggest waste of time. To see hundreds even thousands of people complain somewhere on FB that they wish there was a certain store in town or certain restaurant in town or... tells me right away "RUN Forrest"! What a waste of valuable time. The time spent here could have #1 been put to better use of doing something that matters in your life and #2 it brings your attitude down.
If you want to see a major shift in your life do service for others. It is amazing how you feel and it’s a crucial way to get out of your head. If you constantly think about your own benefit and analyze every single thing you do or don’t do, things are only going to get more complicated and difficult. But taking care of another soul can be an amazing way to experience responsibility and recognize your own skill to make a difference in someone else’s life.
One of the biggest problems our society as a whole has been the fact that we’re constantly looking for external sources of happiness. Sadly, this is also a rather difficult habit to break. But precisely because it’s so difficult, you don’t have to force yourself to completely eradicate it. For instance, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something nice every once in a while, be it a weekend trip, new clothes/accessories, a meal in a fancy restaurant, and so on. Start thinking how I can change my life for the better. Happiness always lies within. Listen to your inner voice.
Do things YOU enjoy doing. That's a great place to leap from. Relax and enjoy the things that make your heart happy. Will there be negative emotions and times? Absolutely! Immerse your time and thinking into something that can bring you out of it. I was riding a very high wave about 4 years ago when the rug got pulled out from underneath me once again. Honestly, I don't know how I could have done it if not from my wife who kept faith in me and the song from Kenney Chesney - Everything's Gonna Be Alright. My wife has a favorite song as well that helps her at times by Rodney Atkins - If You’re Going Through Hell.
Today is the day! There is no time like the present to start on a better path for yourself and those around you. You got this go make it happen.
Marvin Ray
If you think using any type of forum or software or YouTube is making you a better tech you need to rethink your future goals and being in this industry. First off, do you truly understand Ohm’s Law? Next, if you are having to learn everything in the bay this is costing you and the shop a lot of money. I will tell you it is those who go to conferences, training, take all classes available to them and study theory along with taking ASE tests are the ones that are TRULY getting the respect and the money today.
When I graduated from Utah Trade Tech years ago, I went into the automotive field to work. After 6 months I was telling everyone, I had learned more in 6 months than I had in 2 years and the Tech. Many years later I realized what a really stupid statement that was. It was the prior 2 years of understanding theory that got me to where I was.
If I had taken someone who had been in the industry working those two years and six months I would have cleaned his clock every time because of what I had learned. This education stays with you the rest of your life, it makes you more effective, efficient, and precise in what you do every day, that is why some of us still stand by flat rate today because we know and understand the theory and can kill it on flat rate time.
Everyone knows that I’m for the technicians out there but let me be clear on something that gets batted around all the time, ASE. Yes, I said ASE.
I get that some of us (I included are not good at taking tests) I get that some feel that just because you can take a test doesn’t mean you can fix a car, I get that too, but here is what you are missing:
1 The customer you want that has the money looks for some sort of certification, whether it be dealer, parts store, training company ASE etc. Having no certifications does NOT build your business value or technician value. This is one of the many reasons you may be getting the bottom feeder customer.
2. The knowledge YOU get (yes, I said you) from taking any test, including ASE helps you understand the theory or processes much better. This is not about pointing fingers at others; this is about you! Quit worrying about the other tech take care of yourself first.
3. If you think your on-car knowledge is great now, I guarantee you would be even BETTER if you had taken tests and training to understand even deeper the theory and processes in our industry. Hell, I would go to a basic electrical class tonight if offered in my area. Why? Because that instructor may give me a better way to explain it to others or help in some other way.
The minute you think you know it all you are done and will be that tech we all talk about.
Need help to become better? That’s what we are here for. Check out the short videos and classes at https://mechanicalliancefoundation.org/ We also do one-on-one mentoring.
If you were to sit down right now and make yourself a list of goals would that list be filled with personal or professional aspirations? Even if you’re someone who flies by the seam of their pants, it’s natural to have dreams and goals. The important factor is that your personal and professional aspirations can coexist for your future success. Education is a common factor between the likelihood of developing both personally and professionally.
