Worldpac predicts that automotive training in 2026 will focus heavily on high-voltage and hybrid vehicle systems, advanced electronics diagnostics, and business skills development for shop owners and technicians to remain competitive as the industry rapidly evolves.
- High-voltage vehicle expertise is becoming essential as electric and hybrid vehicles grow in popularity, requiring technicians to understand EV systems, battery technology, and safety protocols
- Electronics and diagnostics complexity are increasing across all vehicles, demanding technicians understand system communication and interpret advanced diagnostic data
- Business acumen training is now a competitive advantage, with shop owners needing skills in leadership, financial management, marketing, and customer experience
- STX 2026 will feature 300-plus in-person training courses at Gaylord National Resort in Maryland from August 19-23, 2026
- Worldpac manages over 500 training courses annually across North America to keep technicians and shop owners current with industry evolution
Expert trainers at Worldpac, a leading distributor of original equipment and automotive aftermarket parts, forecast that training focused on high voltage and hybrid vehicles, along with broader business skills instruction, will be the most in demand for automotive professionals in 2026. These trends will directly shape the training curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities featured at the 2026 Worldpac Supplier & Training Expo (STX), reinforcing its role as a leading platform for advancing technician skill sets.
Senior Director of Training at Worldpac, Rob Morrell, has spent the last four decades helping build programs that keep automotive technicians and shop owners current and developing their skills. Annually, Morrell manages more than 500 training courses held across North America, and he and the Worldpac Training Institute team will bring 300-plus in-person courses to Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, from Aug. 19 to 23, 2026, during STX 2026.
“At Worldpac, we are taking notice of how fast the industry is evolving — and with it, the expectations for technicians and shop owners,” said Morell. “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.”
The following automotive training trends are what Morrell believes will steer conversations at this year’s STX 2026 Expo:
TREND No. 1: High-Voltage Vehicles Redefining the Technician Skill Set
- As electric and hybrid vehicles become more popular, technicians and shop owners need to become more knowledgeable about electric vehicle (EV) systems, battery technology and high-voltage safety to avoid turning away customers or putting employees in unsafe conditions.
TREND No. 2: Electronics in Vehicles Driving Diagnostic Complexity
- Technicians and shop owners need to educate themselves and remain vigilant about emerging technologies across all vehicles to understand how systems communicate, interpret diagnostic data and solve problems that are no longer externally visible.
TREND No. 3: Business Acumen Becoming a Competitive Advantage
- Shop owners need to invest in business skill set training that goes beyond the garage, focusing on leadership, financial management, marketing and customer experience to operate more efficiently, retain talent and build stronger, more sustainable businesses over time.
To learn more about Worldpac, its products or the Worldpac Training Institute, visit www.worldpac.com.
