ASE Instructor Training Conference Focuses on Preparing the Next Generation of Diesel and Automotive Technicians

The 2026 ASE Instructor Training Conference brought automotive and heavy truck educators together for technical training focused on workforce development and the future technician pipeline.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recently brought educators from across the country together for its 16th annual Instructor Training Conference, an event focused on helping instructors stay current with the technologies and skills students will encounter in today’s transportation industry.

Held in Frisco, Texas, the three-day conference is recognized as the nation’s largest instructor training event for automotive, medium and heavy truck, and collision repair educators. Instructors from high schools, community colleges, and trade schools attended technical training sessions while connecting with manufacturers, suppliers, and industry organizations.

Conference Delivers More Than 20 Hours of Technical Training

ASE said the conference included more than 20 hours of technical update training covering current repair procedures, emerging vehicle technologies, and instructional practices.

Separate learning tracks were available for automotive, medium and heavy truck, and collision repair instructors, allowing participants to complete training relevant to their programs while also meeting ASE Education Foundation accreditation requirements.

According to ASE President and CEO Dave Johnson, investing in instructors ultimately benefits students by helping educators return to the classroom with current technical knowledge, new teaching resources, and stronger industry connections.

Technician Shortage Remained a Key Topic

One of the conference’s featured sessions examined the industry’s ongoing technician shortage following recent comments from Ford CEO Jim Farley describing the issue as one of the industry’s biggest workforce challenges.

The presentation, titled Filling the Farley Gap: Addressing the Technician Pipeline, explored research from several industry studies, including surveys conducted by IMR Inc., the ASE Education Foundation, ASE Connects, and the ATMC Training Benchmark Survey. The discussion focused on the factors influencing technician recruitment and the importance of strengthening the education pipeline.

Industry Partners Support Technical Education

Manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry organizations participated throughout the conference by providing technical demonstrations, product training, and educational resources that reflected the equipment and technologies technicians are likely to encounter in today’s repair facilities.

ASE said those partnerships help strengthen the connection between classrooms and employers while giving instructors additional resources they can incorporate into their training programs.

The organization also announced that the 2027 ASE Instructor Training Conference is scheduled for July 19 through July 22 in Phoenix, Arizona, with registration expected to open in early 2027.