Tomorrow's Technician T2 IQ

Doug Kaufman talks with Tom Broxholm (Skyline College), Ed Martin (Pickens Technical College), Sarah Heller (Raritan Valley CC), and Heather Sebben (NACAT) about the upcoming Automotive Educators Conference at American River College in Sacramento, CA (June 15–18).  Topics include: rapid vehicle technology changes, the value of hands‑on professional development designed by educators for educators,...

The North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) is dedicated to empowering automotive instructors. As President Drew Barnes puts it, "Really, our mission is simple. We are automotive teachers for automotive teachers." This means providing the ongoing training and resources instructors need to stay current and excel in their roles. One of these resources, the NACAT Conference , is an annu...

On the latest episode of NGK's Shop Squad “Now You Know” podcast, Doug Kaufman interviews Todd Koch, Senior Product Manager at Niterra North America. This episode dives deep into advancements and best practices related to spark plugs and ignition coils, offering valuable insights for professionals in the automotive repair industry. Key Takeaways for Automotive Professionals: The Evolution of Spark...

In this podcast episode, Doug Kaufman and Matthew Bickford, the product manager aftermarket for Niterra Canada, discuss the evolution and importance of oxygen sensors in vehicles. They discuss how oxygen sensors have evolved from single wire sensors to multiple sensors in modern vehicles." The sensors are primarily used for emissions control and ensuring the vehicle is running properly, Bickford e...

Wondering "what's next" in an industry full of faced-paced innovation? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about what to expect for the automotive industry as we continue to repurpose old techniques with new technology.

It's not your father's industry anymore, so what does that mean for you? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about what to expect for the expanding automotive industry.

Ready to plan for phase 2 of your career? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about becoming a mentor for future generations, keeping your skills fresh and preparing for growth.

How can you keep up with the incredible pace of change in vehicle technology, keep training fresh, identify good training programs and decide which is right for you? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about the importance of continuing education in the industry and answer questions you may have about your own education.

Experts say it all comes down to supply and demand - if you can supply what's needed, you can demand whatever you want. Experts say an increasingly challenging technician shortage has them worried for the future - are you making the right choices with regard to your career? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about the opportunities – and cha...

Chartreuse. Lime. Emerald. Sea Foam. Crocodile. They're all green, but not the same. Greenbacks. Dough. Bucks. Benjamins. Scratch. All money that spends the same but can be earned differently. As a new technician, do you understand the differences in compensation models between flat-rate, hourly, commission, salary, etc.? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow's Technician gets Kyle Thoreen, The Rust Be...

If you're just getting started in this industry you may not know what you don't know about what it takes to become successful. In addition to the technical aspects, you'll need tools and equipment. But do you need the best equipment right now? How do you finance your future without going broke? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about how to...

Money makes the world go round – or at least it helps fuel a successful automotive career. How do you start your career? College? Apprenticeship? Straight into a shop or dealership? Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician and The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen, talk about what to expect in your first two-three years in this episode of T2 IQ.

The automotive industry offers exciting career paths – but it isn’t necessarily easy to find your way. Doug Kaufman, editor of Tomorrow’s Technician talks about how to get started with The Rustbelt Mechanic, Kyle Thoreen. With a diverse background as a technician, instructor and social media influencer, Thoreen offers a unique perspective on what students and newcomers to the industry can expect d...

Just because they look simple, spark plugs and related components have a great deal to do with keeping today's vehicles operating efficiently. In this episode, we answer student questions about spark plugs and ignition coils with the help of technical experts at NGK, the ignition specialists, and NTK, the sensor specialists.

When future automotive technicians have questions, they ask their instructors. If that doesn't work, they can ask Tomorrow's Technician. In this episode, we answer student questions on various vehicle sensors with the help of technical experts at NGK, the ignition specialists, and NTK, the sensor specialists.

NGK/NTK Trainer Philip Austin explains how trainers and instructors can continue to inspire their students, even in unprecedented times.

A lifelong pursuit of learning and teaching has taken Philip Austin to every corner of the automotive industry. From his early days of learning how to repair Jaguars at the feet of his father to winning national tech competitions in high school to managing dealer repair shops and his own facility to becoming one of NGK’s Technical Training Specialists, the student has become the teacher. This podc...

Piloting an 11,000 HP NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car or Dragster isn't as easy as it looks. J.R. Todd, driver of the DHL Toyota Camry Funny Car and Rob Flynn, Crew Chief of the Mac Tools Top Fuel Dragster put old myths to rest and explain how today's champion-caliber drivers are more than just passengers in some of the fastest cars on Earth. This podcast episode is sponsored by NGK Spark Plugs.

A nitromethane burning Top Fuel dragster or funny car can consume more than 13 gallons of fuel in less than four seconds. Hundreds of variables, including the atmospheric condition means capturing a win takes a great setup, with every team member and vehicle component operating in sync. This conversation sponsored by NGK Spark Plugs.