The shortage of vehicle technicians has been going on for quite a while now and there is no apparent end in sight. The current workforce is growing older and retiring. At the same, attrition, promotions and career changes are shrinking the ranks of existing technicians.
Further compounding the situation, young people are not choosing to enter the field of vehicle maintenance and repair.
As if there weren’t a difficult enough situation, there is also the ongoing challenge for current technicians to:
- Keep their skills and abilities fine-tuned.
- Stay abreast of the evolving sophisticated technology and electronics of vehicles and the tools and equipment used for servicing and repairing them.
All of this is resulting in increased vehicle downtime, inefficiency and added costs for fleets.
Some Help
While Mac Tools continues to develop new products and solutions for the automotive, fleet and commercial business, we have also been engaged in advancing new and innovative ways to help vehicle shops hire and retain technicians.
From our experience in working with the students at the Vo-Tech level all the way to the marketplace, Mac Tools understands the growing needs and demands the automotive industry faces with regard to training technicians, and we are doing something about it.
One of the most challenging tasks for a new technician is acquiring a toolbox and general tools, and then adding tools that make their work easier, as well as specialty tools required for certain jobs. This can be daunting, as well as expensive.
Over the years, Mac Tools has developed strong relationships through our Student Tech Program with many of the nation’s largest Vo-Tech schools and community colleges. Under this program, students, as well as technical schools, are eligible to receive a significant discount on most tools, toolboxes and other products listed in the current Mac Tools price list.
Partnerships
We have also been involved in creating corporate partnership programs. In 2015, we launched our first technician incentive partnership with a large domestic fleet.
Through this program, we funnel the fleet’s technician incentive funds directly to our distributor/franchisee trucks and into the account of the technician. For those technician’s not serviced by a truck, we have developed a portal that allows them to redeem their funds online.
This program, the first of its type in our industry, has proven to be effective at reducing administration and reporting costs for the company, which helps it reduce its overhead costs.
Included in this partnership is an online catalog through the Ariba procurement system where the fleet can purchase shop supplies and equipment.
Additionally, we have developed tool incentive programs that can be tailored to meet the needs of an organization’s specific shop applications to help in the recruitment of technicians.
Because tools and equipment can cause injuries when used the wrong way or for the wrong purpose, Mac Tools distributor/franchisee truck representatives can provide advice and guidance to make sure technicians are using the right tools for the job, as well as help keep them up-to-date on new product and enhancements.
The technician shortage continues to impact the industry as a whole. Therefore, it is important that all stakeholders do their part to find ways to promote, educate and encourage the next generation of technicians.
Chip Todd is the strategic accounts manager of fleet and commercial business for Mac Tools (www.mactools.com). He is an experienced industry leader with more than 30 years in distribution, sales, product management and training. Mac Tools, conceived in 1938 with a philosophy of excellent quality, price and service, is a leader in the tool and equipment business today. It provides the finest quality tools, toolboxes, power tools, electronics and specialty tools to technicians worldwide.
