An industry that drew people in by the rumble of an engine is at risk, thanks to that feeling now being more of a dull roar to passing ears.
A critical issue that threatens to stall the future of this industry, warned former group president of GPC North America Randy Breaux: A desperate need for skilled technicians.
“The biggest issue right now in the industry is the lack of technicians,” he said during the NAPA Now event that celebrated 100 years of the NAPA brand. Breaux retired in August but stayed with the company to assist with the transition to now-former UAP president Alain Masse.
As cars become more advanced, with more sensors, electrical components and complex systems, the need for highly skilled technicians will only grow. The industry is at a crossroads, and its future depends on successfully attracting and training the next generation of automotive professionals.
This isn’t just a minor speed bump, but a potential roadblock for the entire automotive ecosystem, he warned.
The problem cuts to the heart of how young people view technician careers. What was once a profession that drew in passionate car enthusiasts has lost its shine, becoming what Breaux described as “not necessarily a sexy job.”
Yet, it remains “a job that is a necessity for the whole economy,” he emphasized.
The industry needs to take a proactive approach to addressing the skills gap, Breaux observed. Simply waiting for technicians to appear isn’t an option.
“We’re going to have to partner with our customers to develop that next generation of technicians,” Breaux explained.
The potential solutions involve a multi-pronged strategy of training and education. This means changing perceptions and creating pathways for young people to see automotive technology as a viable and exciting career option. It’s about showing that modern automotive work is less about getting greasy and more about being a high-tech professional whose skills cover the spectrum of needs from customers.
As vehicles become more technologically complex — with advanced electrical systems, driver safety systems, hybrid technologies and autonomous features — the role of a technician is evolving into something far more sophisticated than traditional mechanical repair.
The stakes are high, Breaux warned, and younger generations are key to this transformation. Without a robust pipeline of skilled technicians, the entire automotive repair and maintenance industry could face significant challenges. Repair shops, auto parts distributors and vehicle manufacturers all depend on having skilled professionals who can diagnose and repair increasingly complex vehicles.
“We’re going to have to find ways to create that technician pool,” Breaux said.
Image credit: Depositphotos.com
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I don’t know how white collar CEO’s think they can analyze the career choices of blue collar technician. They want to manipulate people to enter this career to maintain their own lifestyle, so they can keep driving their new cars under warranty. Manipulating someone into an industry with false promises will not retain them. Promoting an industry so advanced and so technical comes with a cost. That cost will be the wages for technicians that the average shop owner and consumer can not afford. The fact still remains the fastest easiest money is still on the greasy everyday repair side of the job. Sure there is some highly technical problem solving situations involved as being a technician, but the junior technician isn’t going to have to deal with it and that’s not where the real money is made anyways. The amount of difficult complicated jobs that cause us all anxiety is very minute compared to the money making jobs. So stop promoting this industry as some super difficult career choice with a crappy wage. When its not. Show the young people there is a lot of money to be made and they can evolve slowly into the technical side. Once they have that skill set, they need to understand they don’t have to fix every repair on every make and model vehicle out there. They should be made aware that vehicles are replaceable and consumer are not going to pay them anyways for a complicated issue on a 15 yr old car with 300,000 km on it.
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Most of my hires have come straight from High School, they start on the broom, garbage duty, clean up, then we work them up to higher tasks. I find if you cant put in some honest cleaning and maintaining your work place then this might not be the trade for you. We usually take 4 students per shop, and in 2 semesters may have one to two potential hires. We have found working closely with the local High Schools trades programs, we have had a good way of finding good technicians, and some of the kids I have mentored over the years have moved on to other careers in the automotive trade, I have always kept open communication with them after they have left us. In this day and age, we have had to raise our rates to keep up with the changing wage requirements. We market ourselves as Technicians, and not greasy mechanics, and treat all of our Clients well. We may not be the cheapest, but we are fair and honest. I do not let new vehicles or the Tech they come with scare us, we will deal with it when it comes in the door. And every day is a new adventure.
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