In a recent report from the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, the demand for auto technicians in our state has nearly doubled from 136,503 in 2020 to 258,000 in 2021. Only 48,000 training programs were completed in 2020. By 2025, it is projected that demand in California for new automotive, diesel, and collision technicians is expected to rise to 797,530. And, as of November 2022, there are over 1,500 open technician positions across Southern California. That is a grim reality for some business owners to face, and it could have devastating effects if not addressed. The current labor shortages and the projected need for qualified technicians has pushed us to ask hard questions. How did this happen? Why is there a technician shortage? What are we going to do to turn around this looming problem? There are a number of factors contributing to this problem. Here are a few of them to consider: • Negative industry perception can be a problem. Society holds an outdated perception that this is a dirty, unprofessional career. This couldn’t be farther from the truth and part of this stigma leads back to the way technicians present themselves. It is important that dealerships and shop owners start to hold technicians to a higher standard. They need to ensure technicians are being professional, staying up-to-date on training, and wearing a clean uniform. Technicians are smart, welltrained individuals, and we need to shine a light on that. • Work environment is important and has become a much bigger factor when it comes to people pursuing job opportunities. Potential employees want to work at places where they can feel like part of a family. They want to be able to walk in to work each morning and love what they do, not dread it. Making sure that your technicians feel appreciated goes a long. Additionally, as our workforce changes, dealers and shops should be prepared for the employees of tomorrow. Having restroom facilities to accommodate all employees seems like a simple thing, but it is often overlooked. Employees with families often benefit from flexible schedules. Offering mental healthcare in your benefits package goes a long way in building a caring company culture. You may not be in a place to implement all of these suggestions right now, but you should still be asking the question, “Is my business ready?” • A lack of promoting the industry furthers the problem. For decades, students who have struggled academically were the ones that teachers encouraged to get involved in the trades. This is an awful precedent to set for TRAINING the Auto Technicians of Tomorrow 8
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