How Are Good Techs Created…

[DesertHorses]

In our county, we have a JTED - Joint Technical Education District. The district works with area businesses to see what is needed and then works with the businesses, high schools and community college to develop programs. Kids graduate HS with real skills and certifications in areas ranging from health care to fire fighting to aviation and automotive. This is not the old “vocational school” for kids who don’t want to go to college but career oriented into good paying jobs and more education if they want. Our local car dealers, hospitals, and manufacturers snatch these kids up - many start working part time in their last year.
I think a reason this program is pretty successful is that the trades are given a lot of respect.plus local businesses have bought in and support the programs. We end up with a lot of kids with well earned self esteem (and a paycheck to match) and community support for the businesses that hire them.
I think, like many thing, we need to look at why there are or aren’t good techs in any field in an area and what we can do to improve things.

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[bgn]

The good techs don't work at the dealers anymore. The manufacturers and the dealers treat them poorly.

 

[oysterville]

kIdS tHeSe DaYs JuSt DoN't WaNt To WoRk

 

[matt123]

The techs at my local dealership are pretty bad. I basically pay a small repiar shop for most everything now instead of going through three rounds of "repairs" with them. Unless it is something major it is more of a headache than it is worth. I think the country has done this to themselves by looking down on blue collar work. We need to start respecting peeople who get their hands dirty again and maybe more people will enter the field.

 

[matt123]

kIdS tHeSe DaYs JuSt DoN't WaNt To WoRk

I woudl say partially true, but those who do want to work are going to follow the money and the good enviroment. It is a sign of how bad dealerships are to people.

Good employees work at good places.

 

[Scott Asheville]

The problem is societal. I lived in Germany two years in USAF. That country has a strong vocational and trades tradition, and they're highly valued. In the USA they're looked down on until you need them. I would take my 1987 Civic CRX SI into the Offenbach Honda dealer for service, and when I got it back it felt tight and awesome. That's because he actually did every item on the service checklist.

 

[TwoTone]

As a former tech, I worked at a dealer for 6 months and never looked back.
If a manufacturer wants to warranty something, I shouldn't get paid less to do the work just because its warranty work. I didn't make money when the vehicle was purchased- why should I lose money to warranty it?

 

[DesertHorses]

I woudl say partially true, but those who do want to work are going to follow the money and the good enviroment. It is a sign of how bad dealerships are to people.

Good employees work at good places.

I guess we’re fortunate. My dealership has to compete to keep good techs - which also means repeat customers (including several government agencies). Dealerships also need to be good community members.

 

[icegradner]

Problem is many dealerships are part of auto groups now, everything is about penny pinching like every other big corporation.

 

[ExpoGuy]

The good techs don't work at the dealers anymore. The manufacturers and the dealers treat them poorly.

I spent 27 years working for a large city metro, as a passenger train tech. Many, I'd say about 20% of our techs were from car dealerships. And they all tell the same story - that they can't make a living fixing cars at a dealership. On the plus side whenever I had a car problem there were plenty of mechanics to help me out.

 

[dochawk]

On the plus side whenever I had a car problem there were plenty of mechanics to help me out.

It is, though, much easier to brig a car back to a dealer than it is a passenger train!

 

[CurtisB]

In my opinion, the trade industry should see a return of both respect and necessity here in the U.S. Someone has to repair and install those large wind turbines, small engines, electric speed trains, circuit breakers, sewer lines, leaking roofs, molding drywall, HVAC systems and the newer Heat/Transfer pump systems, Tesla vehicles, charging stations, cell towers, transmissions, CV axles, solar farms, ..........the list goes on.

These trades have been losing people due to them aging out. Yes, it is labor intensive but they deserve the money! In my area, more and more independent auto mechanics (probably former dealer Mechanics) are popping up with signs saying they specialize in specific vehicle repairs. Their overhead is lower and more of the hour fee goes directly to the mechanic............as it should.

Labor work will fuel our economy as it creates a need that cascades within our local communities. All the trades I listed need to buy their supplies to do their work and this also means manufacturers will need to produce the products. Yes, I know, some manufacturers are not in the U.S., but the trend is coming back.

Over the last 15-20 years I have purchased overseas products and the quality is pretty bad. That's why companies like WeatherTech can do so well.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

In our county, we have a JTED - Joint Technical Education District. The district works with area businesses to see what is needed and then works with the businesses, high schools and community college to develop programs. Kids graduate HS with real skills and certifications in areas ranging from health care to fire fighting to aviation and automotive. This is not the old “vocational school” for kids who don’t want to go to college but career oriented into good paying jobs and more education if they want. Our local car dealers, hospitals, and manufacturers snatch these kids up - many start working part time in their last year.
I think a reason this program is pretty successful is that the trades are given a lot of respect.plus local businesses have bought in and support the programs. We end up with a lot of kids with well earned self esteem (and a paycheck to match) and community support for the businesses that hire them.
I think, like many thing, we need to look at why there are or aren’t good techs in any field in an area and what we can do to improve things.

You are 100% right! I went to a Public School in N.Y. that taught Aviation trades. 90% of the graduates found work at the local airports (JFK, LAG, and NEW) I always made above average pay, then other trades. My son runs a shop that works on German cars, Porsches, BMW's, etc. and can't find anyone who wants to work unless it's a desk job. all skilled young people in this country are few, and far between. Because they went to college, they want to run companys, not work for someone. That's my personal opinion!

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