Finding new techs far and wide

Akilimali had attended an Ohio automotive technical college but still had much to learn. He is working to get his certification as a master tech. But Almas recognized the young man had drive and an eagerness to learn. Akilimali is grateful to Almas.

“I can say Phil is the one who has helped me get to be where I am now,” he said. “In the past, if you made a mistake at another dealership, you could get fired right there. Here, it’s a case of ‘Serge, it goes like this.’

“It’s a total learning experience, not a firing offense.”

And Akilimali didn’t come alone to Ganley Subaru. He brought along a fellow technician and several of his kin.

“Over time, I recruited some of Serge’s family members for various positions,” Almas said. “One started in detailing and has moved to lube tech and will soon be starting as a main shop tech. The recruiting has been by sheer luck that this young man had broken down in front of our dealership in the first place.”

Almas said onboarding the Congo native was not really different than a technician born in the U.S. He said Akilimali’s transition has been smooth because he appreciates the culture at the Subaru dealership.

“He just needed a place where he would be treated just like a human being rather than a number-producing machine,” Almas said.

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