THEIR breadth of knowledge and combined 120 years of comprehensive training set them apart from the ordinary mechanics. True masters of their field, they are the top of their class and command the highest accolades for all things automotive.

They’re master technicians — experienced automobile repair experts who have been certified by an independent motoring authority or directly by a car manufacturer. ATL Automotive, Jamaica’s dealers for the Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, Volkswagen and Honda brands, boasts an impressive tally of eight master technicians.

“At ATL we believe in developing our employees to the highest possible levels. We have a strong contingent of master technicians comprised chiefly of Jamaican nationals who have been trained and certified by international automotive authorities,” said Sam McKenzie, ATL Automotive’s general manager.

The process of becoming a master technician is an arduous but rewarding one, said Volkswagen specialist Adrian Whyte. “As master technicians we go through years of rigorous module training and requisite examinations. I actually started out as an apprentice at the previous local Volkswagen dealership before taking a serious interest in becoming a certified technician. That was over 10 years ago and to date I have earned two master technician accreditations including the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).”

The ASE, Whyte explained, is a US-based accreditation course which validates professionals in automotive service and is widely regarded internationally. A Jamaican, Whyte is also a certified Volkswagen master technician, having travelled and trained extensively at manufacturer workshops throughout Mexico, Brazil, The Dominican Republic and the US.

“Being an integral part of the Volkswagen family for the past 10 years has allowed me, and by extension my team of seven junior technicians, to understand and embrace the innovative technology and processes that the brand is built upon.”

ATL Automotive’s Audi authority Drayon Atkinson also has a strong background in manufacturer training and has been a certified member of the prestigious Audi Master Guild for the past six years.

“After completing my initial studies at the Jamaican-German Automotive School, I headed to the United States where I worked with the Champion Porsche-Audi dealership in Pompano Beach, Florida. Throughout my seven year tenure there, I earned my ASE general master technician certification, a diploma in automotive technology from the Atlantic Technical Institute as well as my Audi master guild technician status. Audi has a notoriously strict and challenging master technician programme employing a mixture of self-study, online and instructor-led modules but it was definitely all worth it,” said Atkinson.

Returning to the island in 2012, the Jamaican-born, 15-year certified ASE master technician is also a qualified automotive instructor.

“We have four junior technicians on the Audi team. As the brand specialist you are also charged to educate and develop your team, which includes organising and leading training sessions as well as recommending them for certified manufacturer courses.”

“I always loved fixing things but there was definitely something special about Land Rovers,” said Steven James, the Jaguar Land Rover expert.

James, a British national who came to Jamaica four years ago, has been following his passion since he was 16 years old. Trained at the Jaguar Land Rover Academy in Leamington Spa (UK), James’ first real hands-on foray into the rugged world of Land Rovers began with an apprenticeship in Bedford, UK. Three years into his apprenticeship, James’ superb talent was rewarded in the form of his own repair ramp at only 19 years old.

“I started working as a junior service technician but I trained extensively with their master technician covering all things Land Rover and Jaguar especially in-depth diagnostics.”

At age 21 after the requisite tests, James was certified as a Land Rover master technician, one of the youngest persons to do so in the UK. Since working in Jamaica with ATL Automotive, James and his team including fellow master technicians Albert Clarke and Mitra Ramlal have been at the centre of some prominent projects including the recently concluded Land Rover experience test drive event as well as putting the finishing touches on the restoration of Bob Marley’s famous blue Land Rover.

Directed by Service Manager Steve Chin, the Honda team boasts the largest complement of master and junior technicians.

“Our team is a formidable one and we’ve all worked together for at least a decade. Courtney Hedge, Carlton Watson and I make up the master tech team but there are nine other technicians whose specialisations range from maintenance to diagnostics and repair. Their vast knowledge base offers customers the best service experience possible,” he said. And indeed it shows. In 2012 ATL Motors was awarded the Honda Gold Star Distributor Certification in recognition of the team’s strong technical expertise. That year, Chin and his team also celebrated their fourth consecutive win of the highly coveted Honda Automobile Customer Experience ‘Best in Customer Service’ award for the Caribbean and Latin American region.

“At ATL we encourage our team to be the best because we know that the success of a business is based on the team within it,” said McKenzie.

“In these tough economic times, customer satisfaction is more important than ever and paramount to the client experience. With our strong technical team, we are truly unbeatable in the service that we deliver because we are the proven masters and authorities on all things automotive.”