Cox Automotive Launches Pilot Program for Next Generation of Technicians

Cox Automotive Inc. announced a new pilot program that will provide students at automotive technical schools with access to Xtime software, training and learning resources at no cost, helping prepare the next generation of technicians for careers in dealership service.

The pilot is launching with Southern Union State Community College in Opelika, Alabama. Through the program, students will gain hands-on experience with real dealership service workflows before entering the workforce, helping bridge the gap between classroom training and the technology they may use on the job, company officials said in a press release.

“Dealerships across the country need skilled technicians, but the challenge isn’t a lack of opportunity. It’s making more people aware of the career paths available and giving them the skills and experience to succeed,” said Brenda Berg, fixed operations strategist, Cox Automotive. “By bringing Xtime into the classroom, we can give students practical experience with the technology dealerships use every day and help them enter the workforce more prepared from day one.”

Addressing the Automotive Technician Shortage

The automotive service industry continues to face significant demand for skilled technicians. According to the TechForce Foundation, the supply of automotive technicians currently meets just 59% of annual demand, leaving more than 20,000 positions unfilled each year. At the same time, dealerships are competing aggressively for experienced talent, making technical schools an increasingly important pipeline for the industry, the release noted.

Through the Xtime pilot program, participating schools will receive a dedicated training environment designed around real dealership service processes. The program includes:

• Access to Xtime software and dealership service workflows at no cost to participating schools
• Training and onboarding resources for instructors, including playbooks, videos and ongoing learning materials
• Hands-on experience for students using the platform in a technician role
• Training environments tailored to participating schools and their existing automotive programs, including manufacturer-specific content where appropriate

The program is instructor-led, giving educators the tools to incorporate Xtime into their existing curriculum while allowing students to build practical experience before graduation. For dealerships, familiarity can help create a stronger pool of candidates who already have exposure to common service workflows and dealership technology, the company said.

Southern Union State Community College Launches First Pilot

The pilot is being developed in collaboration with a dealership partner, Allen Turner Auto, and the Automotive Technology Department at Southern Union State Community College.

“Being selected as the first pilot school for Cox Automotive’s Xtime program opens opportunities and gives an edge to our Automotive Technology students,” said Keith Futral, Automotive Technology instructor at Southern Union State Community College. “This partnership allows us to introduce students to the technology, service management processes and professional practices they will encounter in modern automotive dealerships. This fully supports our goal at Southern Union State Community College to bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world industry experience.”

The initial rollout will serve as a launch-and-learn pilot, allowing Cox Automotive, participating schools and dealership partners to gather feedback and better understand how the program can support instructors, students and employers. Any future expansion will be informed by pilot results, participant feedback and resource requirements, the company said.