ADVANCING NEW HAMPSHIRE’S WORKFORCE A Look at NHADA Foundation’s Latest Educational and Development Initiatives BY ADAM MEMMOLO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, NHADA FORD MOTOR COMPANY PRESENTATION On January 23, we had the opportunity to meet with several employees from Ford Motor Company, including Simone Nunoo, the SEO Technical Placement Manager. Together, we discussed the local dealer landscape, training centers, and of course, technician recruitment. Ford intently listened to NHADA’s workforce recruitment and retention strategies. It was clear that we both were in agreement that a key to growing a healthy workforce includes collaboration between educational providers and industry. Donating to local automotive schools, joining advisory boards and taking on interns/part-time employees are all examples of how the industry can support automotive education. Additionally, onboarding today’s youth can be made easier by providing multiple exposure to the local dealer body outside of their classrooms. This can be accomplished with industry visits to classrooms, field trips out to industry and job shadows or internships. Once the industry has piqued a student’s interest, it is important to have a career pathway to put in front of them. This can be a simple sheet of paper from the employer showing career growth timelines that are attached to certification, tenure and task qualifications. A future technician has to see the potential in the career as other markets are extremely competitive with entry-level wages. This also serves as a good retention tool by giving today’s youth a pathway for growth and potential. Once hired, it is important to assign a qualified mentor. This can be the absolute biggest key in technician retention. It has been shown that an entry-level technician who has someone investing time into them is far more likely to stay with the company than someone who was hired and left in a lube bay to see if they make it. This is also a great strategy to fast track a technician’s productivity, growth and technical abilities. There are many different opinions of what the perfect recruiting, growth and retention strategies could look like depending on the landscape of your shop. The important thing is to have one. Get involved with your local tech center 20
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTg3NDExNQ==