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Let's Get Involved Now To Ensure Our FuturePosted 9/12/2000By Howard Lewis, AAM
I bet this isn't the first time you've read the previous sentence. We realize and agree that attracting new technicians is a real problem for our industry, but what are we doing about it? We're all busy taking care of today. Meanwhile, we're ignoring our future. We've reached the point, though, where we must plan for tomorrow. Or, as Yogi Berra might say, when tomorrow arrives, it won't be here. Where I live in Washington, the Automotive Youth Education System (AYES) has opened its program to independent shops. AYES is a partnership between General Motors Corp., DaimlerChrysler and Toyota that was formed to develop school-to-work automotive educational programs. Participating AYES businesses sponsor one or more students for a paid summer internship after their junior year in high school. And, once the school year begins, shops continue employing the interns on a part-time basis during their senior year. I recently attended an AYES meeting. The room was full of representatives from the dealers. There were only two independent shops represented, and mine was one of them. When it comes time to place interested students in shops, where will most of them be going? Not to the independents, but to the dealer shops. While this is just one example, it shows where we are as independent shop owners. Or, should I say, it shows where we are not. We are not where the students are - students who are interested in our industry. Regardless of where your shop is located, there are opportunities for you to be where the students are. If your local high school or community college has an automotive vo-tech program, chances are they would welcome involvement from a local shop. You can serve on an advisory committee or participate in apprenticeship or job shadowing programs. If your local vo-tech doesn't offer such programs, help them get one started. In 1994, shop owners in Washington did that very thing by establishing the Independent Technicians Education Coalition (ITEC) in partnership with a number of technical colleges in the Northwest. In this program, students divide their time between the classroom and the shop. As a side note, ITEC would like to expand geographically. If you're interested in establishing a program in your area, call ITEC at (425) 413-0232. Whether formal or informal, there are many ways to encourage young people to consider an automotive service career. It could be simply allowing middle school students to visit your shop. A few minutes of your time may be all it takes to influence a future tech. ASA members must be active in attracting technicians to our industry. We must get involved with the kids who represent tomorrow. Otherwise, tomorrow will arrive and we won't be here. Editors note: The August 2000 issue of AutoInc. includes two articles related to this topic. For more information on how your involvement can lead to more technicians at your business, refer to the management feature, “Involvement Opens Doors To Future Techs,” or the Guest Editorial by Tech to Tech columnist Brian Manley, “I Have Our Future Technicians in My Class; Guess Where They're Going.”
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Copyright (c) 1996-2008. Automotive Service Association. All rights reserved.
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We must attract more young people to careers in automotive service.
