Training for high‑voltage and hybrid vehicles, rising electronic complexity and stronger business fundamentals will define technician education in 2026, according to expert trainers at Worldpac.
The distributor said these forces are reshaping what shops and technicians need to learn to stay competitive, and they will anchor the curriculum at the 2026 Worldpac Supplier & Training Expo this summer.
Worldpac’s training leadership expects demand to concentrate in three key areas. First, high‑voltage vehicles are redefining the technician skill set as electrified powertrains continue to move into the mainstream. Shops that lack expertise in EV and hybrid systems, battery technology and high‑voltage safety risk turning customers away or exposing staff to unsafe conditions. Worldpac said that technicians will increasingly need confidence working around energized systems and understanding manufacturer‑specific repair requirements.
Second, electronics and software are driving new levels of diagnostic complexity across all vehicles, not just EVs. As systems become more interconnected, problems are less visible and more data‑driven. Technicians and shop owners must understand how vehicle systems communicate, how to interpret diagnostic outputs and how to diagnose faults that no longer present as straightforward mechanical issues.
Third, business acumen is becoming a competitive advantage. Shop owners are seeking training that goes beyond the service bay, Worldpac noted, with emphasis on leadership, financial management, marketing and customer experience. Stronger business practices help improve efficiency, retain technicians and build more resilient operations as costs rise and competition intensifies.
Those themes will be part of the learning experience at STX 2026, where Worldpac said it plans to deliver more than 300 in‑person training courses at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, from August 19-23.
“At Worldpac, we are taking notice of how fast the industry is evolving — and with it, the expectations for technicians and shop owners,” said Rob Morrell, senior director of training at Worldpac. “What we’re seeing now is a shift in learning that goes beyond the basic skills due to the advancements of technology in high‑voltage vehicles. Shop owners who invest in stronger business practices will continue to remain competitive.”
Morrell, who has spent four decades developing training programs for the aftermarket, oversees more than 500 courses across North America each year through the Worldpac Training Institute. Worldpac said STX remains a central platform for translating industry trends into hands‑on education, supplier engagement and practical skill development.
Feature image: A training session hosted during Worldpac STX in 2024 in Nashville
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