The severe lack of auto technicians in the U.S. has prompted a number of initiatives to hire trained mechanics at auto dealerships.
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), National Urban League, and Urban League of Louisiana have joined forces on the most recent minority-focused project.
The program will help mechanics in training secure apprenticeship roles at participating Louisiana dealers, with the eventual goal of expanding to all states. Candidates will also take classes at community colleges and participate in a four-week career and life skills training program.
The NADA says the industry needs 76,000 new technicians to join the workforce yearly to replace outgoing professionals, but only an average of 39,000 students graduate with related degrees and certifications.
Across the nation, several training programs will be offered. BMW, for example, has the Military Service Technician Education Program. Which provides technician training to members of the armed forces on active duty at military bases, beginning just before their discharge. Then, it aids them in obtaining civilian employment as BMW dealership technicians.
BMW’s 350 U.S. dealerships employ more than 7,000 technicians. Fresh technicians are in great demand, much like the rest of the dealership industry, but this is due to the issue with turnover and the fact that fixed operations account for a sizable portion of dealership profit.
In order to stay current, auto technician schools are teaching their students how to service battery EVs. For instance, Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has added a Ford Mach-E to its fleet of vehicles used to instruct auto technician students.
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