As an association built around the idea of providing new busines concepts , networking solutions and more to trailer dealerships across North America , NATDA understands that education is a crucial part of the dealership process .
For many years , dealerships have struggled in finding hard-working individuals with the necessary educational background to perform the tasks needed in a dealership . Additionally , many owners simply don ’ t have the time to devote to training new individuals breaking into the industry . It ’ s hard to spend the necessary time in training someone when you ’ re also maintaining several facets of your business already . These issues compound together to create a vexing problem for the entire trailer industry - workforce limitations .
Originally scheduled for the 2020 NATDA Trailer Show , NATDA started to address these problems with enhanced , hands-on technical training seminars . Here , newer technicians in the workforce would ’ ve gathered much-needed experience over the span of a weekend . However , COVID-19 made that reality impossible . NATDA has not given up on that idea , though .
In 2021 , the NATDA Dealership Performance Training program will receive a complete overhaul and expansion – starting with a brand new , virtual Winter training series . While the physical Trailer Show usually hosts around eight to ten educational classes , this new series will reach a far greater number and cover a far wider variety of topics . From sales and marketing to management and technical standards , this series will truly be an educational necessity for all employees at your business .
Throughout the year , you can also expect a deeper look into a variety of topics with enhanced webinars and article contributions from a new rotation of educational providers specific to the industry . Get to know these companies over the course of the year , then meet in person and learn directly from them at the 2021 NATDA Trailer Show in Nashville , TN . Lastly , that hands-on technical training isn ’ t going anywhere . In 2021 , NATDA is expanding its technical offerings to an even larger number than what was going to be offered in 2020 .
Your dealership ’ s health isn ’ t just your own business . It ’ s our business . NATDA is an association built for dealerships and it will continue to fight for your businesses ’ overall well-being . It may start with a revamped Dealership Performance Training program , but it won ’ t end there .
Do you have an educational topic you ’ d like covered in 2021 ? Email NATDA ’ s Senior Membership Manager , Melanie Bierweiler , at melanieb @ natda . org !
36 NATDA Magazine www . natda . org