Faced with a staggering shortage of 12,500 automotive technicians in New Jersey, there’s an incredible demand for techs across the board, but this critical issue isn’t unique to our state. It’s a problem for dealers nationwide. NJ CAR exists to both support and advocate for our dealer members, so we’ve engineered a program to help alleviate the stress of finding more auto techs. Since October 2024, NJ CAR’s Technician Advancement Program (TAP) has been producing work-ready, entry-level technicians, allowing us to meet the needs of our dealer members one graduate at a time. Five 18-week bootcamps so far have yielded more than 50 graduates. Nearly two years into the program, we reached out to TAP graduates and a dealership partner to gather their thoughts on its impact. In these interviews, we began to unpack both the benefits of TAP and its long-term effects on the graduates and dealers who employ them. REMOVING ROADBLOCKS ON THE PATH INTO AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE When considering how to address the technician shortage, many feel the biggest obstacle is a lack of interest, but the response from our TAP grads tells us otherwise. Liam Matthew Vanderbilt (Manahawkin CDJR class), Mauro Nissan (Route 22 Toyota class), and Justin Hughes (Dayton Toyota class) share that they’ve always had an affinity for working with their hands. The largest obstacle for many of them wasn’t disinterest — it was the financial investment. “The barrier to entry is kind of high, but I understand why dealerships can’t afford to take a chance on somebody who doesn’t understand the fundamentals of how a vehicle operates,” said Vanderbilt, currently employed by previous TAP host Manahawkin CDJR. “Between the need for experience, the cost of tools, and the cost of education — I feel like there are lots of potentially great technicians out there who never get the chance to become one because they didn’t have an opportunity like TAP.” Based on their feedback, graduates agree that TAP addresses many of the obstacles to entering the trade. “The program is free, which makes a huge difference when you’re unemployed or already in a difficult financial situation. You don’t have to pay a small fortune to make a career change,” said Nissan, currently employed by Richard Lucas Chevrolet in Woodbridge. “It’s a relatively short program. You don’t need to spend years in an extensive technical program to get started in the industry.” TRANSLATING TAP INTO THE DEALERSHIP ENVIRONMENT Mike Kelley, Director of Fixed Operations with Manahawkin CDJR, reflected on the first-hand experience he gained watching TAP students grow throughout the program: “What stood out about TAP students was their desire to ask questions, absorb information, and become part of the team. That mindset is far more important than knowing every repair procedure on day one.” While experience is the best teacher, Kelley highlights the significance of teamwork in the shop. “TAP graduates don’t just leave with technical knowledge — they understand dealership expectations, safety, professionalism, documentation, and what it takes to succeed in a real dealership environment. That exposure significantly shortens the learning curve and allows them to contribute much sooner than someone who’s only experienced a traditional classroom setting.” When asked to describe what it was like going through the program, graduates agreed that TAP played a vital role in their transition to life in the dealership. Justin Hughes, currently employed by Ciocca Kia Subaru, noted, “The hands-on training helped a lot with getting me comfortable with the more common movements throughout the day: setting the lift, tires, brakes, alignments, etc. The combination of classroom and hands-on work was very beneficial.” Vanderbilt adds, “Practicing what we learned from class in the shop really helped solidify the lessons for us. When I was hired after I completed the program, I had already established a routine for servicing vehicles.” With 288 hours of instruction delivered by master technicians who clearly illustrate what a typical day looks like for a technician, there’s an immense amount of content to cover in every bootcamp. Recognizing that, Nissan praises TAP for being so thorough: “What stood out to me the most was how structured the program was. We had everything we needed from the beginning: experienced and capable instructors; all the tools we needed; and a clean, organized workshop. Regardless of your educational background, TAP focuses on the knowledge and skills you actually need to get started, which I think is one of its biggest strengths.” BEYOND THE TOOLBOX: HOW MENTORSHIP KEEPS TECHNICIANS THRIVING No matter how well TAP simulates the daily life of auto techs in the dealership, a program can’t replace real-life experience. Technician Advancement Program Graduates Transition Into the Workforce by BRANDON JURAKHAN, Workforce Development Manager, NJ CAR 22 NEW JERSEY auto retailer
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