There’s a rising scarcity of mechanics within the U.S. as employees proceed to age out of the business. The problem is there aren’t sufficient employees to interchange them, business consultants warned.
“Younger workers don’t see the value in ‘hands on’ work,” Autotrader’s government editor Brian Moody informed FOX Enterprise.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics initiatives a mean of 67,800 openings for automotive service technicians and mechanics every year by 2033. The division attributes many of those openings to the necessity to change employees who go away the occupation, both by transitioning to totally different fields or retiring.
This comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of auto homeowners are already behind on sure auto repairs resembling oil adjustments and tire rotations, in keeping with latest information from Carfax. The corporate famous that neglecting such repairs is just not solely harmful, however expensive.
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“The automotive industry is at a crossroads, with a severe shortage of talented mechanics stemming from an aging workforce, fewer program graduates and the rapid evolution of vehicle technology,” Dustin Willander, CP Racing crew chief, informed FOX Enterprise.
Not solely are many skilled technicians leaving the sector, however Willander stated youthful generations are additionally “opting for careers in industries like tech and health care.”
A mechanic reaches for his instruments on the auto store. (iStock / iStock)
There are a number of components deterring individuals from even coming into the occupation, together with the pay construction at greater outlets, in keeping with Moody.
Some mechanics are solely paid for “the acceptable number of hours” it takes to repair an issue, which is dictated by the store or producer of the automobile, he stated. For instance, if the flat fee of a job is predicated on two hours and the worker takes one hour to finish the job, she or he will nonetheless be paid for 2 hours’ price of labor. Nonetheless, if the job takes any extra time, they are going to nonetheless be paid based mostly on two hours of labor.
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Moody noted that social media is contributing to the trend by convincing people there are easier ways to make a living. He pointed to the rise of “car influencers” as an example, contrasting it with the decreasing number of people entering the car repair industry.
The other issue is that there is an increased workload, which is making the job less desirable.
An auto mechanic checks the underbody of a car. ( Pia Bayer/picture alliance via Getty Images / Getty Images)
“The high price of new and used cars means people keep their cars longer. Therefore, more repairs,” Moody said, adding that the average age of a used car on the road today is just over 12 years old.
Ken Coleman of Ramsey Solutions highlighted another major issue preventing younger generations from entering the industry: the stigma surrounding such jobs.
“One of the biggest factors affecting the technician shortage is society tends to look down upon the industry. Fair or not, there is still a negative stigma surrounding the profession,” Coleman told FOX Business.
There is a growing shortage of mechanics in the U.S. as workers continue to age out of the industry. (iStock / iStock)
“The solution is to recruit them, train them, pay them, and treat them well so you keep them, offering competitive compensation, professional development and creating a shop culture that values feedback,” Coleman added.
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Some programs are already trying to help boost the workforce. For instance, AAA, in collaboration with NAPA Autotech, recently launched a new automotive apprenticeship program to help create the next generation of automotive repair professionals in the industry. The program is made available to AAA’s Accepted Auto Restore amenities.
“Growing technicians from within will be the key to success for our industry’s future and both NAPA and AAA have built a strong path to lead the way,” Scott Kochetta, NAPA Autotech coaching gross sales and enterprise improvement director, stated in a press release.
