Four proven ways to run a tighter ship at your shop.
Efficiency is the Name of the Game
read more
The number of students who earned postsecondary degrees as auto technicians dropped by nearly 12 percent last year, the largest single-year decline since auto tech graduations began declining in 2012, according to a new report from the TechForce Foundation.
This is the fifth year the non-profit organization released its Technician Supply & Demand report, and there’s very little to be excited about if you’re a shop owner looking to hire more skilled techs. The most recent one-year drop caps a decade of declines in new auto tech degrees, totaling a 34 percent reduction from about 41,000 a year in 2012 to less than 29,000 in 2021.
Meanwhile, more than 22,000 new technician positions were expected to be created this year due to industry growth. Add to that nearly 60,000 positions that were left unfilled from previous years, and you start to get a sense why it’s hard to fill service tech jobs these days.
Nevertheless, total automotive techs employed actually increased in 2021 to 733,200, although that can also be seen as mixed news.
“What that means is that the new entrant technicians to the workforce have less training,” the report says. “This, at a time when there is strong agreement within the industry that we need better-trained new entrant technicians for the future facing the industry; a future that is arguably already here. With the increased adoption of EVs, autonomous vehicles and a myriad of other advanced technologies, hiring new entrant technicians with little or no training as the norm is a risky path to go down.”
One of the few slightly positive notes is the report debunks the widely held belief that transportation technicians – including auto, diesel, collision, aviation and avionics techs – are older than the workforce average and therefore retiring at a faster rate, further exacerbating these issues. Using federal employment data, they show that retirement rates in this industry are actually lower than the rest of the U.S. labor force. Seems professional wrenches aren’t graying as much as people think.
You can find much more information by signing up to download the full report on the TechForce website.
The articles and other content contained on this site may contain links to third party websites. By clicking them, you consent to Dorman’s Website Use Agreement.
Related Articles
Snap-on to expand Tennessee manufacturing plant
Company makes $44 million investment to expand plant.
A comprehensive primer on the automotive right to repair debate
Your guide to understanding controversy and proposed legislation that directly affects how repair professionals earn a paycheck.
Maine voters approve ballot measure requiring automakers to share diagnostic system access
With 84% approval, it’s the latest electoral show of support for providing owners and independent garages with more ability to repair motor vehicles.
Report: cars are the worst products for protecting user privacy
A scathing new analysis from the Mozilla Foundation says every single car brand failed its standards for security and respecting user privacy.
Surprise: having snacks and phone chargers in your repair shop’s waiting room makes customers happier
A recent J.D. Power study found that a few simple amenities in your service center’s lobby go a long way toward making your customers want to come back, but few businesses have them.
EPA emergency action allows nationwide summer sales of E15 gasoline
Get ready for an increase in fuel system corrosion repairs on older vehicles and small engines.
Shop Press Comment Policy
Participation in this forum is subject to Dorman’s Website Terms & Conditions. Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe
Login
2 Comments
Newest