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Brookfield starts off saying skillful teaching is whatever helps students actually learn. Nothing fancy, which makes sense to me. I’ve been in enough labs at BCIT where I can tell the guys aren’t getting it from how I’m explaining things. When that happens, we pull the car in and start working on it together. Theory’s fine but most students learn by doing.

The part about being critically reflective resonated with me. I catch myself thinking back to how we did things in F-1 or in the shop and assuming it’ll translate. But these students aren’t race mechanics. They’re regular people who’ve never dealt with half the stuff I throw at them. I’ve been trying to ask myself after labs what actually worked and what was just me talking.

He also talks about really understanding how students experience learning. That’s a big one. Some of them look completely lost when we get into electrical troubleshooting. Others are fine. I’ve started just asking them outright what’s not clicking instead of powering through. A lot of times they’re just nervous about breaking something expensive.

Then there’s the power dynamic within a class. With 35 years in the trade, it’s easy to sound like I’m talking down to them. In my shop I can be pretty direct, but in class I’ve had to take it easy, so they don’t feel like idiots when they screw up a brake job or misread a code.

Overall, this chapter reminded me teaching isn’t clean and perfect. It’s messy and you’re always having to adjust. I’ve picked up some of this stuff just from training young techs over the years, but it’s good to see it written out, and forced me to be more deliberate in my actions and teachings in the class.

Hello everyone, my name is Raffi, and after 35 years as an automotive mechanic, I’m now proud to serve as an Automotive Mechanics Instructor at BCIT in British Columbia. Thought I’d start by introducing myself and sharing a bit about how I got here.

My Background

I started out in small independent shops and dealerships right here in Canada. Learned the basics the hard way — fixing whatever came through the door. From there I got the chance to travel with elite racing teams. I worked the Indy circuit and spent years in Europe as crew on Formula 1 teams. Long days, high pressure, and some of the best mechanics in the world.

Eventually I got tired of living out of suitcases. I came back to Canada, bought my own shop, and co-founded a company doing high-end conversions such as turning old Porsches electric. These days I split my time between running the shop and teaching automotive mechanics at BCIT.

Who I Am as an Instructor

I’m the guy who brings real-world experience into the classroom. My F-1 and Indy background helps when we talk about high-performance systems, but I’m mostly focused on teaching students what they’ll actually need in shops and dealerships. The industry is changing fast with EVs and new technology, and they need to be ready for it.

Values That Guide Me

• Safety and precision aren’t optional. In F-1, mistakes get expensive and dangerous fast. I hammer that home with students.

• Respect the work and respect the students. Not everyone learns the same way.

• Keep learning. If you stop, you fall behind in this trade.

• Show up, own your mistakes, and do the job properly. Those habits matter more than most people admit.

My Truths of Teaching

I’ve been reading Stephen Brookfield’s The Skillful Teacher (3rd Edition). Some of what he says about teaching being messy and situational really hits home.

Here are a few truths I’ve figured out after all these years:

1. Students learn more from screwing something up safely than from watching perfect demos all day. I let them make mistakes on purpose so they can figure out why it went wrong.

2. Being a good tech isn’t just about tools and knowledge. If you can’t talk to customers, show up on time, or work with the team, the technical skills don’t matter much.

3. Show them once, have them do it, then make them explain it. That’s when it actually sticks.

4. Good instructors stay students themselves. The day I think I know everything is probably the day I should retire.

I’ll try to post more about what we’re working on in class, stuff from the shop, and some lessons I picked up from racing. If you’re a student, a working tech, or just curious about the trade, feel free to comment.

Competency-based education is a game-changer, personalizing students education based on their unique needs, interests, and pace - tailoring their learning. What sets it apart is the removal of standards from grade levels and enabling students to reach high standards at their own pace. This approach revolutionizes the traditional one-size-fits-all model, promoting a more personalized and student-centric education system allowing students to excel where they are most competent.

In the wake of the pandemic, the popularity of online and blended learning models have become the norm. The need for flexible and accessible education became more apparent than ever, prompting schools and institutions to integrate virtual components into their curriculum.

The symbiosis between competency-based education and blended learning is evident. CBE's emphasis on personalized direction aligns with the flexibility offered by blended learning models. Students can progress at their own pace, learn from anywhere in the world, and can receive individualized support whether in a physical classroom or a virtual environment. This combination not only accommodates diverse learning styles but also prepares students for a future where adaptability and digital proficiency will be crucial.

Read more about trends in adult learning for 2024 here.

In terms of my own industry, automotive, the most interesting advancement is the use of VR (Virtual Reality) devices and how they could be used in teaching mechanics. It became abundantly clear during the pandemic that Zoom was not going to cut it to teach the necessities of class with the large amount of information as well as the hand-on learning. No video on Zoom can show a brake caliper once the wheel is removed in comparison to real life. 

However, VR could fill in this gap. An article in Business Insider1 reported that Walmart was using VR to train new employees. It is certainly a technology that would be more efficient and effective in not only mechanics but any trade or hands-on learning (welding, construction, etc.) where simply watching a video on Zoom is not enough.

I look forward to seeing where this particular technology could impact learning and perhaps open doors to learners where they might not have been able. 

It appears the EV bubble has begun to burst.

Ford recently released that it was reducing the scope of its Michigan plant by 40% and the creation of jobs by 32%. Earlier this year, Ford projected a loss of USD4.5billion within its EV division.

Newcomer to the EV game, Rivian, revealed in a letter to its shareholders that it had lost $32,595 for each vehicle sold1, despite being the first manufacturer to bring an electric truck to market, beating out both the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Lightening.

With more countries and governments pushing for a “green transition”, the true cost of EV is becoming more apparent. Think tank, Texas Public Policy Foundation2, released a new study analyzing credits, subsidies and hidden costs showing the shocking hidden cost of $50,000 per vehicle. With more concern being expressed for environmental and moral mining of rare earth minerals needed for the production of electric cars, the cost may be higher than we think.

With the many other future issues that may arise with an increase of EV including pressure on electric grids, lack of charging stations necessary to accommodate all the EVs3, high cost of replacement batteries, and the potential of exorbitant kWh prices, it could be that middle-class citizens will no longer be able to afford an electric vehicle, despite the push in that direction.

With the possibility that EV may only be available to high-income earners if there are not sustainable solutions to the above problems, Riise EV, a company converting high-end combustion engine vehicles to electric, may be the future of EV. Riise fills a gap in the industry, to keep cars on the road longer, as well as contribute to a greener future4.

The EV industry will certainly be an interesting field to follow, not only for new and exciting technology but also its impact on the environment and economy.

Raffi T has been an automotive mechanic for 35 years with vast varieties of different technical and industry experience.

Beginning in small independent shops and dealerships Raffi moved on to travelling the world with elite racing teams. Raffi has worked with multiple racing teams including in the Indy circuit and lived and worked in Europe as crew for Formula 1 racing teams.

Wanting to settle down, Raffi left the elite racing circuit and returned to Canada where he bought his own mechanic shop and also co-founded a company converting high end cars such as Porsches, electric.

With his years of hands on technical experience, Raffi currently teaches automotive mechanics at BCIT, as well as running his own shop.

Raffi T has been an automotive mechanic for 35 years with vast varieties of different technical and industry experience.

Beginning in small independent shops and dealerships Raffi moved on to travelling the world with elite racing teams. Raffi has worked with multiple racing teams including in the Indy circuit and lived and worked in Europe as crew for Formula 1 racing teams.

Wanting to settle down, Raffi left the elite racing circuit and returned to Canada where he bought his own mechanic shop and also co-founded a company converting high end cars such as Porsches, electric.

With his years of hands on technical experience, Raffi currently teaches automotive mechanics at BCIT, as well as running his own shop.

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