ASE 2026 training benchmarks survey explores industry training trends

Fifty-three percent of auto technicians say the top reason for lack of access to training is that the right topics are not available, according to the 2026 ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC) Training Benchmarks survey. 

Other reasons for lack of access include quality training not available (38%), can’t take time off work (29%), training costs too much (22%), and would have to travel too far (17%).

Collision Technicians said they need training in ADAS (44%), paint and refinish (44%), hybrid/EV systems (44%), and collision structural repair (44%) when asked. 

Thirty-three percent of collision technicians said they need electrical training and 22% said they need collision estimating training. 

Only 7% of survey participants, which includes automotive, truck, and collision repair technicians, service advisors, shop managers, parts distributors and instructors, said they had no structured training hours in the past year. A majority (18%) said they had more than 56 hours of training. That’s up 16% in 2025. 

OE dealership technicians had the most training hours with 19% at 56 hours or more. Twelve percent of aftermarket and independent technicians said they had 56 hours. 

A majority said they do have access to training in their workplace including 72% of OE technicians and 55% of aftermarket and independent technicians. 

Technicians also overwhelmingly say that their employers are paying for training including 85% of OE technicians and 56% of aftermarket and independent technicians. 

The survey had 2,685 responses in 2026, up more than 1,000 from 2025. 

“The expanded response pool reinforces the survey’s role as a key benchmark for understanding how training delivery, accessibility, and content needs continue to evolve,” a release about the survey says. “Findings from the 2026 survey show that technicians remain focused on practical, career-relevant education, with electrical/electronic systems, hybrid/EV systems, ADAS and advanced engine performance ranking among the most requested training topics.”

The release adds that another takeaway is the continued demand for instructor-led learning environments that prioritize hands-on application. 

Nineteen percent of respondents said they wanted classroom instructor-led training with 16% saying they wanted hands-on training. Another 10.4% said they wanted virtual online classrooms. 

“Technicians indicated a strong preference for instructor-led classroom sessions paired with workshop lab time, demonstrating that practical experience remains critical for skills development, and confidence building in increasingly complex vehicle systems,” the release says. 

The survey also showed that the highest percent of collision respondents (36%) are between the ages of 55 and 64. There were zero collision respondents between the ages of 18 and 24. 

Yet, the 25 to 34 age group, 35 to 44 age group and 45 to 54 age group all had an 18% rate. 

Pay structure also showed that 73% of OE dealership respondents receive a flat rate while the pay structure is more flexible for aftermarket and independent technicians. Flat rate remained the most used pay method at 33% but was closely followed by hourly at 32% and salary at 23%.

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