Dominating an area of Bountiful and Wood Cross, the Performance Automotive dealerships, provide a valuable local resource for buying cars and repairing them. Bountiful Toyota, Bountiful Honda, Ford and Ford Truck Country are all under the same Performance Automotive umbrella. It is also a good place to work with many in leadership positions who started out at the bottom. “Plenty of growth available in this company,” said Jen Collins, the talent acquisitions recruiter at Toyota Bountiful, “with a good work culture, many of our employees have been here since the 90s.”  

One of the ways employees can grow is by taking part in the numerous educational opportunities provided by the company.

“One thing that never changes in the automotive business,” said Collins, “is that there is always change.” New cars with more tech or electric drives rather than gas. When a need comes up, the company puts together a continuing education course on the topic and invites some of their employees to attend. For example, when it seems like those that know their way around an engine swap are getting scarce, they hold a class that can remedy that lack. 

While all auto service employees are encouraged to take part in continuing education, the new recruits get a paid six-eight week course teaching all the basics. Danny Hatch, a master technician that has been with the company for almost 30 years, leads the class. The first half of the day is spent in the classroom with computers and live instruction. The second half of these educational days is spent in an auto shop set aside for this purpose where actual cars are used to practice maintenance and simpler repairs in a supervised setting. 

After the introductory course, the students can be attached to one of the master technicians in an apprentice role. The master technicians have their pictures displayed in the shop with their specialties and certifications listed. The service technicians usually develop a knack for certain types of repairs. They do a few of the same repairs and recognize that they are good at that particular part of the car and the journey begins where continuing education could lead to their own tenure and master technician in various areas. 

They will hold a continuing education class for just a few students, but usually try to include a few more that could benefit. Five years experience along with certain certifications are required to obtain tenure as a master technician. Despite the longevity of many employees, the company is always striving to expand opportunities. A basement area at Toyota Bountiful is currently being renovated to provide more work bays as needed.

Collins recruits her talent from local high schools and Wyotech in Wyoming. They occasionally hold workshops for high school students in the school part of the business to highlight the opportunities available. “It is helpful to have a little experience, like Jiffy Lube or Grease Monkey,” said Collins, “but we also hire people with no experience.” Everyone here grows at a different pace, she said, but the opportunities are available to really shine.