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Hey Son, how about a career in Auto Body?

Joe Marconi

By Joe Marconi
in Auto Body Shop Discussions

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skm Community Regular

skm

Posted
Posted
  On 8/31/2015 at 4:30 PM, Joe Marconi said:

Here's a short article in Body Shop Business about introducing your child to the Auto Body Business as a career. What are your thoughts?

 

http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/editors-notes/?eid=284835314&bid=1165152

 

My thoughts are that if I had a son I would steer him in a totally different direction. Maybe an owner of a shop in one thing but actually doing all the hard work and enduring all the crap that comes with the career ( working in shops with no ac in the summers ) you are always in one way or another subjected to the outside conditions. You work very very hard, have to buy a ton of tools, all the nasty stuff you are exposed too, tend not to get the respect you deserve , and all this for a little pay compared to what you do and what you are worth in relation to other jobs. That being said it actually may be a good thing if he is willing to do it properly and really learn the trade, since so many now a days are just shade tree guys / parts changers etc. so there may be a demand in the future for good guys and gals and the pay may reflect what they are really worth down the road.

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Mario Collaborator

Mario

Posted
Posted

I have never recommended being a mechanic or body man to any of my relatives. It is not a lucrative career for the amount of knowledge and expertise required to be proficient in this field.

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      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

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