Page 30 - On The Move - Volume 17, Issue 3

mprovise, adapt, and overcome. It’s an approach that is central to training
Ifor members of the U.S. military, and it’s also at the core of successful
operations across the country. Since the Coronavirus became a
reality for us all, we’ve had to modify our daily routines, com-

ing up with new ways to accomplish tasks in order to keep
businesses afloat, all while putting health and safety at the
forefront of those efforts.

The Academy for Automotive Professionals is no Beyond the bar-
exception. When the State of Georgia put every- riers and spac-
one on lockdown, training came to a halt. Much ing in classrooms,
of what The Academy teaches requires face-to- the instructors will
face interaction, as well as hands-on training. It’s be working hard to
the way sales and service work in the automotive accommodate appropri-
world. But, once the shelter-in-place order was ate social distancing during
lifted, the team at MAADA leapt into action, em- role playing exercises and vehicle
barking on an effort to prep the facility based on walkarounds. “Ensuring that our train-
CDC guidelines. ing facility meets CDC guidelines is
our top priority,” said Randy Nelson,
In the classroom areas of the facility, plexiglass Vice President and Director of Edu-
barriers have been constructed, which will be cation for the Metro Atlanta Automo-
positioned between instructors and students. And bile Dealers Association. “We knew
on the student side, tables and chairs have been that the Coronavirus situation would
placed in accordance with social distancing require some modifications to our
guidelines. At the conclusion of each day’s instruc- instructional approach, and we’re
tion, staff will wipe down the classroom areas, as confident that we have met that chal-
well as surfaces in any of the Academy’s vehicles lenge.”
that are used for training.
As our industry works hard to return to normal,
In addition to the barriers and spacing in the more and more people will be hired. Some of
classroom areas, a specialized disinfecting fog- them will be returning to roles that were put on
ger was purchased to sanitize the entire facility. hold in response to the pandemic, and some will
There’s also plenty of hand sanitizer available for be altogether new to the industry. It’s important
students and staff to access, as needed. that they be equipped for success. Despite the
challenges presented by the Coronavirus, The
Academy for Automotive Professionals stands By J.W. Southwick
ready to continue its training for students entering Director of Marketing
the automotive industry. & Social Media
MAADA
28 www
28 www.maada.com.maada.com