Installer Institute, a leading school for 12 volt installers, announced it will close its doors after 31 years.
The decision was made following careful consideration of the evolving industry and the Institute’s commitment to the highest quality education, it said.
Retiring staff and regulatory changes made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations.
While Installer Institute will no longer accept new students, it will continue to provide support and resources to its existing students and alumni during a transition period.
The school said in a press release, “Since its inception in 1992, Installer Institute has been at the forefront of mobile electronics education, empowering countless individuals….Installer Institute has built its reputation on a foundation of dedicated instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, and a comprehensive curriculum that has adapted to meet the ever-changing demands of the mobile electronics industry.”
It added, “Installer Institute would like to extend its deepest gratitude to all the students, industry partners, and staff members who have been part of this incredible journey. The Institute’s achievements would not have been possible without their unwavering support and commitment to excellence.”
As a veteran of the industry, 2023 has been emotional year. With the loss of great industry veterans and mentors and now this. Lets move forward into 2024 and Kick Some ASS!
This is a sad day. As has been mentioned, we need more Installer Institute’s, not less.
I have had multiple employees over the years that got their start at this school.
I would like to personally thank everyone at Metra and the school for the last 31 years helping our indistry.
Wow…I’m at a loss for words. I convinced my parents to send me there to get MECP certified in the summer of 1993 which got me a job as an installer and set the stage for my career. In 2000, I went to work there as an Instructor and taught the curriculum along side some talented industry vets for two years. Teaching those classes was probably one of the more rewarding jobs I’ve ever had.
This is a big loss for the industry
I would also add that too many in our industry are operating like it’s still the 20th century rather than growing up and acting like the professionals we all should be. We are our own worst enemies and the longer we continue to act like its still 1995 the harder it is to correct the image of our industry. It really doesn’t surprise me that so many manufacturers are moving to selling direct to end users considering the image so many dealers portray. We want more but not all of us are willing to move on from that “stack em’ high and let em’ fly” mentality. This is mind set is clearly driving more people to shop online and considering how much DIY information is available on YouTube – which we are also guilty of providing – it is slowly eliminating the need for a school like this. I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years and it is truly disheartening to see them closing.
After 40 years in our industry, only yesterday, I was unfortunately thinking about almost the exact thoughts that Paul is contemplating. Manufacturer’s are slowly but surely diminishing our margins. We need more passionate sales people, instead of clerks, along with installers instead of parts changers which requires higher pay incentives. The vehicles are becoming more and more electrically complex which is a good thing for a solid retailer. But on the other hand, with that being said, I only see a demise in our dealer base count in our future. In my opinion, we need to try and focus on profitability with solid manufacturer’s with veterans in play instead of accountants and demand the pay that we should have been making for all of the past years so we can keep our torches lit.
Mike………….Monica @ Metra last I knew.
After 40 years in this industry…………….
I was thinking of some of the same exact things that Paul states yesterday with manufacture’s chopping up our margins slowly but surely.
This market is surely becoming more and more labor intensive to get the job done correctly.
We need to keep veterans in our industry to carry the torch.
Not necessarily the “accountants”.
I only forecast an unfortunate shrinkage in our dealer base for our industry.
Mike………………Monica was the last I knew.
That’s exactly why we have focused on protected and profitable lines as much as possible with Vault 12v Marketing. Being a free billboard for manufacturers and actually paying for their advertising on your showroom without the protection, proves they do not care where the product is purchased, just as long as it moves from one place or another.
If anyone knows who we can contact to get a copy of their curriculum, we would be very grateful. We have our own internal installer training program, but getting any information they would be willing to share could help to make our program better and more thorough. I can be reached at any time at 512-750-8726.
Mike Cofield.
Custom Sounds & Tint
[email protected]
If factories don’t focus on the future of those that will carry the torch, devastation could be looming. Correct the wrongs of the past; control distribution, attend to the retailer’s profitability, restore yesteryear’s margins. $#!t-can M.A.P. MARKET TO CONSUMERS… Any GenZer’s that have the passion, won’t work for p-nuts.
We offer products that are protected to maintain profitability, but until retailers get serious about this and quit feeding the beast that doesn’t care, you are enabling the continuation of what speak against. Look on your showroom floor, google it, let me know what you find.
Sad day indeed… when our industry needs it most, we’re losing one of the best.