VIP Highlights Training, Safety in Tech Sessions

As part of the ongoing training efforts at VIP Inc. dba VIP Tires & Service, the company hosted three separate, hands-on training events to offer specialized information to more than 200 members of its team.

VIP’s annual Master Tech Summit included more than 80 technicians, including a range of workers from flat rate employees to Master Technicians. Vendor partners provided trainings and information, and the team members also spend time networking with their colleagues from locations across the company.

More than 70 VIP employees attended a tire forum, which included presentations from several tire companies, including Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Michelin North America Inc., Apollo Tyres Ltd. and TBC Corp.

The third event was a day-long Safety Symposium, which VIP said “highlighted the importance of safety in our shops, not only for our employees but also for our customers.” More than 65 employees participated in the symposium, which included instruction on safety issues, and how to report them. The company also highlighted stores that reported no accidents and recognized the company’s top safety monitors.

The specialized training events are part of VIP’s overall training and education programs. The company fully covers the expense of study materials, practice tests and exams for ASE certifications, regardless of whether an employee passes the final test. Another element of the program is achieving VIP’s goal of having every store associate TIA-certified within his or her first 30 days on the job.

VIP says just shy of 90% of its associates are certified in Basic Automotive Tire Services (B.A.T.S.) The VIP workforce includes 42 TIA instructors and two advanced instructors.