There’s been growing talk for a while now that we don’t have enough automotive technicians in the United States. Between kids not getting into the field and established techs either retiring or transitioning to other lines of work, a shortage has been putting the squeeze on independent shops and dealership service departments in different markets.
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According to TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit organization which helps mentor students looking to become professional auto techs, there was a 20 percent shortfall of auto technicians graduating from postsecondary programs between 2020 and 2022.
What’s worse is TechForce predicts the US will need four times as many auto techs as will graduate by 2027. In other words, if you want job security, fixing cars might be a great field to jump into. For customers it means getting your car fixed will take longer and cost more.
However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics seems to believe claims about a shortage of automotive technicians are overblown. The federal agency says little change in demand for techs will happen from 2021 to 2031, thanks in part to EVs since they supposedly require less maintenance and will become increasingly common.
Everyone in the industry seems to have an opinion on why the shortage exists and what should be done about it. Business publication MarketWatch claims it’s really the result of “a perfect storm of many” factors combining at once.
An analysis by MarketWatch identified several factors feeding the automotive tech shortage: cars lasting longer than ever, technician salaries dropping, increased skills required for the field, a drop in postsecondary technician schooling, and too many Baby Boomers in the profession.
Industry publication CBT News cited a few other interesting potential factors. Among them is the illusion many youth have that they’re going to become rich and famous being social media influencers. It also pointed out that the prestige of working as mechanic has gone down in many circles, driving away potential workers.
A shop owner interviewed by WKOW 27 News out of Madison, Wisconsin said part of the problem is the nature of fixing cars has changed. Back when he was a new tech, fixing cars just involved taking things apart and putting them back together. But now techs have to be problem solvers, critical thinkers since not all vehicle faults are mechanical.
We’ve heard from some people in the industry that cars are too computerized, making it necessary to have a computer science degree to even work on them these days. That might be hyperbole, but it reflects a growing attitude among older technicians who are hopping out of the business, leaving big gaps in the workforce.
When it comes to a solution, that shop owner in Wisconsin is helping fund auto shop programs in the area. He says that thanks to the more advanced and ever-changing technologies used in cars, the cost of running those classes at schools has forced many districts to drop them entirely. That has in turn led to fewer kids considering fixing vehicles as a career option.
Do you think there’s a shortage of automotive technicians? If so, what do you think would solve the problem?
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