Tony Molla is vice president of communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Leesburg, VA. With over 35 years experience in the automotive industry, Tony held positions at all levels, including technicians, service manager, store manager review of parts of the sale of new cars and automotive technical writer and maintenance manuals for Chilton Book Company. He is the author of over a dozen books on the tools and car care. Before joining ESA in January 2000, Tony spent nine years as managing editor of the magazine Motor Age and Auto Body Repair News (ABRN).
ASK PATTY: Can you tell us about your work and your position at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)?
Tony: I am responsible for all corporate communications, internal and external ESA. These include things such as press releases, industry presentations, trade shows and content on our site. I’ll take care of our consumer awareness efforts, which include free terms of consumer publications such as newspapers and magazines across the country. I also manage our outreach programs that involve our sponsors in several areas. The most important is our participation in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where we sponsor, Ted Musgrave, No. 9 Team ASE / Germain Racing Toyota Tundra. We also have smaller sponsorships with the Aeroshell aerobatic team, with a presence at air shows around the country, and a sponsorship of three Professional Bull Riders in the PBR series. We also have a golf course “Team ASE program, our ASE certified professionals who places run their vehicles. I am also the editor of the New Tech ASE, our publishing house that more than 500,000 subscribers in the first instance of ASE certified professionals and our partners from the industry comes together.
ASK PATTY: What it means to be ASE certified?
Tony: ASE certification works like any other professional certification. Automotive professionals and trucks must pass a proficiency test and by the industry in one or more areas of expertise developed in order to become certified. There are eight tests in the series motor, for example. When a person all the tests in a series, they reach the status of Master Technician. Being ASE certified means that you have the necessary skills must be proved competent in a task, most have at least two years to repair experience. ASE also certifies professionals in parts, service consultants, machinists, alternate fuels technicians, bus, truck and collision technicians. It is important to note that the ASE certification is a voluntary program, it showed that people who have achieved, pride and professionalism that goes beyond the norm. These are the people you want working on your car.
ASK PATTY: Why are you promoting automotive careers for women? Women are most needed in the automotive sector?
Tony: ASE has always promoted the value of a career in the automotive industry for men and women, but demand, especially for women has increased dramatically in recent years. This increased demand for several reasons, not least, is the growing shortage of qualified people available techniques, but women have to be particularly effective in the role of the consultant services. As women are increasingly taking on the role of primary caretaker of the family car, it is increasingly important to improve the communication at the service counter – and it must have been consultants in the service of women are very effective in this role. It is also important to note that traditionally, women have constituted about one percent of the staff and technicians. In fact, there are some shops that consist exclusively of women.
ASK PATTY: Can you tell us something about your program of lectures schools? How will you inform and inspire young women to consider jobs in the automotive industry?
Tony: I am as a speaker at several events to participate in Career Day throughout the country each year. It’s really more a question of being back, instead invited a formal program of ESA. That is, I consider my time before the young part of the most important work I do. I talk to the children from primary school to high school and always make it a point to highlight opportunities for women in the industry. Some of the best automotive diagnostic laboratories that I met were women, and the possibilities for a woman with a good technical background in the automotive industry is excellent. These presentations I have also developed the use of brochures ESA, which describes some of the opporutnities within the industry for male and female candidates.
ASK PATTY: women aware of opportunities open to them in the auto industry?
Tony: Actually, I am constantly surprised how few women and men know the wealth of possibilities. We work hard in the industry to know the two guidance counselors and parents, which can hold a good career choice, but it is clear that we have to do a lot to spread the message.
ASK PATTY: What other kinds of jobs are in the automotive industry, not services or jobs as a mechanic available?
Tony: The possibilities are almost limitless. What I find interesting is how a technical education can be doors on the road to imagine so ever to open. I started as an auto technician and worked part time while I was in college. After I graduated, I found the better earning potential in the service area. In fact, it was largely my technical background, with a degree in journalism, which led to my current position. On the way, I have positions of writing manuals and service rather than as managing editor of two national magazines for body shops and collision. But I am just one example. There are opportunities in the automotive industry in sales, marketing, engineering, construction, manufacturing, human resources, advertising, the list goes on and on. If you think about it, the car industry is a lot more than just selling and fixing cars.
ASK PATTY: What are the resources for women who are interested in a career in the automotive industry?
Tony: Perhaps the best resource for your field of technical education, school or university. Involved in the program of the car can provide a deeper understanding of the possibilities. There are also several initiatives in the automotive industry, the employment of young people in the industry. You can learn more by contacting the University of the Aftermarket, dedicated to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, or some of the colleges as Universal Technical Institute or WYO Tech to learn a few names. You can also contact us here at the ASE with your questions. We would be happy to assist you in every possible way.
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