For several years, commentary on the technician shortage has been going strong. Over time, the phrase has been fine-tuned to read "qualified, skilled" technician shortage.

According to ASA's latest How's Your Business Survey, both mechanical and collision shops are maintaining a balance when it comes to employee turnover rates. 1999 survey results show that an average of one technician left the mechanical repair shop in 1998, balanced by an average of one technician hired. Collision shops reported a two-loss vs. two-gain employee turnover rate in 1998.

Each year, approximately 127,000 automotive technicians leave the industry. This figure incorporates those leaving for any reason whatsoever without regard to persons entering the occupation. Reasons for leaving include becoming employed in a different occupation as a result of a promotion, a desire to change careers, the loss of an existing job and retirement.

The good part is 100,000 of these technicians are replaced annually with skilled workers, leaving approximately 20,000 entry-level positions within the automotive mechanical industry and 7,000 entry-level positions within the auto collision industry. This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Training and Projections report.

High school programs, apprenticeship programs, vocational schools and training programs play a vital role in bringing skilled workers into the industry. The ASA Information Center, part of the ASA Web site, contains a collection of successful shop programs. Examples include apprenticeship programs, school-to-work programs and vocational school involvement.

For more information on this topic, contact Denise Caspersen at ASA national headquarters, or visit the ASA Information Center on the ASA Web site (http://www.asashop.org).

Stat Corner is written by Denise Caspersen, ASA's research management specialist. She can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236.

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