GRAND BLANC, MI — Only 40 technicians remain in ACDelco’s fourth annual Technician of the Millennium (TOM) IV Regional Semi-Finals. These 40 automotive service professionals – whose Independent Service Centers (ISCs) participate in ACDelco’s Total Service Support (TSS) program – will compete against the clock – and each other – in ACDelco’s Technician of the Millennium (TOM) IV Regional Semi-Finals.

ACDelco congratulates these 40 technicians who earned their spots by their performance on a 100-question, Internet-based test administered in February covering nearly all aspects of vehicle repair. The top five scorers in each of ACDelco’s five U.S. and three Canadian regions advanced to the Regional Semi-Finals taking place the week of May 8 in Warren, MI, at the GM Heritage Center.

“The contest gives us the opportunity to recognize the hard work and professionalism our TSS technicians bring to their service centers every day,” said Todd Dawn, ACDelco Aftermarket Training manager. “TOM IV showcases these technicians’ skills and gives them an opportunity to leverage everything they know, including what they’ve learned through ACDelco’s extensive training offerings.”

Technicians competing in ACDelco’s TOM IV Regional Semi-Finals will diagnose and repair pre-determined “bugs” placed in identical vehicles. They are judged on their professionalism and accuracy in their diagnosis and repair in a timed, hands-on skills competition for the title. One semi-finalist in each of ACDelco’s eight regions will advance to ACDelco’s National TOM IV Finals taking place October 27, 2006 at the ACDelco National Convention in Las Vegas.

This marks ACDelco’s fourth such contest. The inaugural ACDelco Technician of the Millennium competition took place in 1999. Subsequent contests were held in 2001 and 2003.

“As vehicles’ complexity and sophistication increases, so does the need for qualified technicians who possess the required skills to diagnose and repair them,” said Dawn. “In addition to highlighting technicians’ professionalism, skills, education, and training, ACDelco’s TOM IV competition helps raise awareness of this important career. There are predictions for an industry shortage of trained technicians in the near future; ACDelco’s TOM IV helps get young men and women excited about job opportunities in this field.”

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