Surveys show technicians prioritize paid training and prefer in-person instruction; here are 18 standout AAPEX 2026 sessions covering diagnostics, networks, EVs, Tesla, and more across three days

LAS VEGAS – August 25, 2026 – “Paid training” is among the top five benefits auto technicians want from their employers. That’s according to the 5,500 technicians who answered the 2026 Voice of the Technician Report, which was published earlier this year. 

Training ranked fourth (66%) among a long list of possible benefits. It trailed “proper equipment in the shop” (87%), “paid vacation” (87%), and a “retirement fund” (73%). The survey also found that technicians prefer hands-on training led in person with an instructor. 

Training, it seems, is a solid way to attract new technicians and retain the ones you already employ. In fact, training was the single most common (30%) action the aftermarket said it was taking to address the skilled labor shortage in the 2026 State of the Automotive Aftermarket Survey Report (PDF), which AAPEX published earlier this year.  

If you are looking for some of the best training you can find – AAPEX 2026 has you covered.

Technical training sessions at AAPEX 2026

There are about 50 training sessions in total on the training schedule for AAPEX 2026. There are sessions for owners, managers, counter staff and service & repair professionals. In this post, we are highlighting just those technical sessions and encourage attendees to check out the complete lineup.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

1. CAN Bus Busters! Tips & Techniques for Network “Failures to Communicate” with Dave Hobbs

2. Vehicle Game Plans – Mastering Your Diagnostic Skills with Jerry “G” Truglia

3. Fix It Right – Circuit Strategy for Modern Vehicles with Gary Machiros 

4. Engine Mechanical Diagnosis with Electronic Equipment with Eric Ziegler

5. Developing Better Diagnostic Judgement and Critical Thinking with Haakan Light

6. Charging Pains and Battery Drains for EVs and I.C.E. with Dave Hobbs

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

7. Advanced Fuel Trim Diagnostics with Scott Shotton

8. VW and Audi Service Essentials with Haakan Light

9. Tesla Vehicle Networking: CAN, Ethernet & Hands-On Testing with Seth Thorson

10. Scan Data Analysis: How to Maximize Your Scan Tools Abilities for Driveability Diagnostics with Eric Ziegler  

11. Introduction to Module Programming with Tim Iezzi and Ira Waldman

12. Tesla Vehicle Networking: CAN, Ethernet & Hands-On Testing with Seth Thorson 

Thursday, November 5, 2026

13. Stabilizing Life with Triggers: Capturing Reliable Waveforms on a Running Vehicle with Trevor Schlientz

14. Challenges in Diagnosing Data Network Issues with Adam Robertson

15. GM Diagnostics with HP Tuner with Gerrot Jacobson

16. Mobile Diagnostics 101; A Comprehensive Look into Mobile Diagnostics as a Business with Eric Ziegler

17. Diagnostic Application of OE Wiring Diagrams with Richard Falco

18. Analyzing Waveforms Live: Using PicoScope to Make Real-Time Diagnostic Decisions with Trevor Schlientz

ASE to provide updates

It’s also worth pointing out that the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Vice President Matt Shepanek will provide some updates on ASE testing. Check out these sessions to help get prepared to earn your ASE certification. To accommodate schedules, ASE is hosting the same session on all three full days of the show – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

Training session pricing

Training sessions are priced at $150 each or buy two sessions and get a third session for free. In addition, you can use this bundled price as many times as you’d like; for example, if you buy four sessions, you get two additional sessions at no cost. 

* * *

AAPEX 2026 will be held from Nov. 3–5, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at The Venetian Expo & AAPEX Forum. See the exhibitor prospectus for exhibiting details. Complimentary passes are available to the media; email: [email protected].

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
Should shop owners get into the EV repair business?