Professional Development at Bob Howard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Oklahoma City

Bob Howard Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram operates a Professional Development Center (PDC) on the north side of Oklahoma City that functions as a manufacturer-authorized training facility for dealership technicians and service staff. This guide explains what the PDC does, who benefits from its programs, and how it fits into the broader technical training landscape in the metro area.

What the PDC covers

The Bob Howard PDC delivers factory-backed curriculum for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicle systems. Technicians use the facility to earn certification in diagnostics, electrical architecture, transmission repair, and emissions systems specific to Stellantis platforms. The center also runs product knowledge sessions for sales and service advisors, ensuring front-line staff understand feature differences across model years and trim levels.

Training at manufacturer PDCs differs meaningfully from general vocational ASE prep. A technician completing a Jeep 4WD systems course at Bob Howard's facility gains hands-on access to actual diagnostic equipment networked to factory databases, not classroom simulators. This matters because the latest Ram trucks and Jeep Wranglers rely on multiplexed electrical architectures that require OEM scan tools to troubleshoot; independent training providers in Oklahoma City cannot legally replicate that software licensing.

How technician certification works through the PDC

Dealership technicians enroll through their employer. Bob Howard's service management team identifies staff for specific courses based on shop needs and vehicle volume. A technician working primarily on Ram 2500 transmissions might attend a three-day intensive on Aisin transmission diagnostics; a newer hire in the Jeep bay could take a two-week fundamentals track covering basic electrical, cooling, and fuel system principles across the Stellantis portfolio.

Completion carries weight in the industry. A technician who passes a Bob Howard PDC module in diesel engine repair earns a documented credential that travels with them to other dealerships. This credential does not replace ASE certification, which is a separate, independent standard, but it demonstrates facility with Stellantis-specific systems and is often required for advancement to senior technician roles within the network.

Where PDC training sits among Oklahoma City technical options

Oklahoma City has multiple pathways for automotive technician training. Metro Tech in Midwest City and Francis Tuttle Technology Center in south Oklahoma City offer comprehensive ASE-aligned programs that produce generalist technicians capable of working on domestic and import vehicles across multiple manufacturers. Those programs typically span 18 to 24 months and serve entry-level students preparing for dealership or independent shop work.

By contrast, the Bob Howard PDC serves existing dealership employees deepening expertise in specific systems. A technician already employed at Bob Howard or another Stellantis dealer uses the PDC to build specialist knowledge that increases diagnostic speed and reduces comebacks. The programs are shorter, more focused, and assume baseline mechanical competency. They are not a substitute for formal vocational training, but rather a supplement to it.

Independent shops in Oklahoma City cannot easily replicate this training model. A transmission specialist operating a standalone shop in Edmond or Mustang may purchase aftermarket diagnostic tools and training videos, but those tools do not include factory-level access to Stellantis telematics or proprietary calibration data. PDC access is a tangible advantage that justifies dealership employment for technicians seeking the deepest system knowledge.

Enrollment and scheduling logistics

Technicians enroll through Bob Howard's service director or technical training coordinator. Courses typically run during weekday business hours, with some intensive tracks requiring attendance across multiple consecutive days. The facility is located on North May Avenue, near the main dealership complex, making it accessible from central Oklahoma City via I-44 or from the north side via Highway 77.

Scheduling around shop workload is a real constraint. A dealership cannot pull all diesel-trained technicians for a week-long training course without covering their bays with outside labor or extending customer wait times. Bob Howard manages this by staggering cohorts and offering some courses during slower seasonal periods, typically in November and December when new model-year vehicles have lower service volumes.

Costs are absorbed by the dealership employer in most cases; technicians do not pay out-of-pocket tuition. This differs from vocational school enrollment, where students or families cover the full cost. It is one reason the PDC functions as a retention tool: an employer investing in technician development signals career stability and advancement opportunity.

Practical value for customers at Bob Howard

Understanding the PDC's role clarifies why service appointments at Bob Howard may take longer than at shops with less specialized training. A technician diagnosing a complex electrical issue in a 2023 Ram 3500 with a malfunctioning adaptive cruise control system needs to follow Stellantis diagnostic trees and access live data through OEM software. That process cannot be rushed. A technician who has completed the Bob Howard PDC module on integrated electrical systems is less likely to misdiagnose the problem or recommend unnecessary parts replacement.

Service write-ups at Bob Howard should reflect technician training levels. Asking whether the technician assigned to your vehicle has completed PDC training in your specific system is not unreasonable; it affects diagnostic accuracy. The dealership's transparency on technician credentials is worth evaluating alongside labor rates when comparing service providers in the Oklahoma City area.

The broader picture

The Bob Howard PDC is one node in Stellantis's training infrastructure across North America. Similar facilities operate in Dallas, Kansas City, and Phoenix, allowing technicians to travel for intensive training if local resources are fully booked. This network creates a baseline of technical competency across the dealer network, which ultimately benefits customers by reducing variation in diagnostic quality and repair outcomes.

For anyone considering a technician career in Oklahoma City, the existence of the Bob Howard PDC and its curriculum is a concrete reason to target Stellantis dealerships for employment. The training access increases earning potential and job mobility. For customers, knowing your dealership technician has specific factory training gives you a basis to trust their diagnosis beyond reputation alone.