What is the most challenging trend you and your team see with respect to recruiting Technicians in today's market over the next few years?

It’s no secret that recruiting quality Automotive Technicians is consistently a challenge for all dealers. Certainly, the pandemic has exacerbated the problem but is not the core of the issue. For years we have seen a significant decrease in students entering the automotive industry as they have been geared towards attending four year colleges and less and less into skilled trade curriculums.

Currently, the most difficult challenge is finding mid-level Technicians, critical to reconditioning used cars. With new car inventory being low, like most dealers, we have focused on used cars, requiring more skilled Technicians who can help us get our inventory front line ready. Training up our Technicians is essential however, with the increase in used car volume, keeping up with staffing an adequate number of those Technicians is tough.

Over the next few years, training Technicians will be critical, especially with the electrification of vehicles. It will certainly change the Technician’s job. Strong computer skills will be essential. Hopefully, students will soon take notice that cars today and especially the cars of the future will be primarily built around computer technology and software and entice a new generation into the industry. alleviating the headwinds we face in recruiting and retaining Technicians today.