These trends will directly shape the training curriculum and hands-on learning opportunities featured at the 2026 Worldpac STX, Aug. 19-23, in Maryland
Oak Brook, Ill..—Expert trainers at Worldpac have forecasted 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).
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, 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 Morrell. “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.
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