The Perfect (Labour) Storm

Today’s kids are more likely to be computer gamers than hot rodders, so they can choose from high-profile and high income trades like tool and die or electronics technology

There’s a crisis brewing in our industry that is, in my opinion, bigger than greenhouse gases, interest rates, taxation, door rates or Right to Repair. That crisis is labour.

The traditional labour issues facing shops were usually about quality/competence and cost. Good people cost money and the ability to pass that cost onto Canadian consumers (who seem endlessly tolerant of shoddy work at discount prices) has been a repair industry sore spot for decades. While consumer ignorance is an ongoing issue, what happens if you can’t find anyone to staff the bays? The technician shortage isn’t new, but after several years of head scratching and ineffective recruitment drives at the high school level, it’s time for a little clarity about this issue. Here’s my take:

1. Demographics don’t lie. Family sizes have been getting smaller since the 1960s, and with lower birth rates comes fewer potential employees. Only Quebec has seen the danger and promoted larger families. The other alternative is increased immigration, which is fine for the cities, but has its own unique set of issues and problems. The bodies simply aren’t there.

2. A good economy doesn’t favour automotive trades. With Canadian economic fundamentals sound and the economy ticking along nicely, there are lots of options for young people. Other trades can deliver better incomes, and the oil patch even has opportunities for the unskilled.

3. Other trades are sexier. I have always loved cars, and many in my generation did too. Today’s kids are more likely to be computer gamers than hot rodders, so they can choose from high-profile and high income trades like tool and die or electronics technology. The “grease monkey” stigma is still there.

4. We’re our own worst enemy. How many shops are multi-generational? I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve met techs who struggled to educate their children so they “wouldn’t have to work with their hands.” Why a $32K job as an office drone is a better career is beyond me, but we’re not putting our own offspring forward as the next generation. If you can’t see your son or daughter in the bays, don’t complain that you can’t find help.

And in the end, it’s always about money. Pay oil-patch level wages and you’ll have all the quality people you want. You’ll also be out of business, which is the conundrum of our industry. Consumers want it good, fast and cheap…we’re going to have to tell them take the best two out of three.