Over the past several years I have been actively involved in several aftermarket associations where the topic of technician shortages has been discussed. Depending on the association, I have heard that we’re down anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 quality technicians – a number that appears to grow each year, fueled by events such as position changes, retirement and individuals exiting the industry all together.
Most enterprises have established operational policies and procedures that address almost every element of their business, from inventory controls to making bank deposits. These basic operational procedures are usually unique to the individual business unit and subject to the discretion of the business owner. However, more often than not, the single most important operational function is often left unaddressed.
Let’s face it, ours is a very dynamic industry. Vehicle are constantly becoming more technical and customers ever more demanding. For this reason, individuals working in the automotive repair industry must continue to hone their skills to meet the changing needs of customers and their vehicles.
Are you working on your business or in it? This is a question that I challenge every automotive service center owner and manager to seriously consider. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a repair shop only to find the manager on duty in the service bays, tools in hand, working on a customer’s car.